Kevin de Bruyne set to finally join the Stamford Bridge revolution.
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Genk winger Kevin de Bruyne is close to joining Chelsea, in one of the worst kept secrets in football.
The transfer has been well known to be in the offing for some time, but the Blues have not been able to reach a deal with the Belgian team thus far.
Now, according to Het Belang van Limberg, talks are approaching conclusion.
It is expected that de Bruyne will join Chelsea on a permanent transfer this month – but like his countryman Thibaut Courtois, who was sent to Atletico Madrid for the season – de Bruyne will head straight back to play at Genk.
The Belgium international flyer has built on his considerable potential in the last few seasons.
Still just 20 years of age, he has played in the UEFA Champions League – and indeed was in the same group as Chelsea, where in their two matches he was one of Genk’s few bright sparks.
Last season he scored 5 goals and supplied 16 assists in 32 Jupiler League appearances, and this season he looks set to beat that tally.
In twelve domestic starts this season, de Bruyne already has four goals, having come back from a broken leg he suffered in August.
He has returned in fine fettle, and could reach the next level at Chelsea – should the clubs come to an agreement of course.
Het Belang van Limberg estimate that the transfer could cost Roman Abramovich up to €9.6m (approximately £8m).