Everton midfielder keen on summer move to Stamford Bridge.
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Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has expressed his desire to join Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer.
Fellaini has been the subject of much speculation about his future with Chelsea keen to sign him and Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United all linked with moves to capture him at the end of the season.
It emerged during the January transfer window that the Belgian international has a £23million release clause in his Everton contract and can be prised away from Goodison Park if any club meets that figure.
And 25-year-old Fellaini has admitted for the first time that his preferred option would be to join Chelsea in the summer – although he is quiet content to fulfil his contract at Everton which runs for another two seasons.
Fellaini told the Sunday People: “Am I interested in Chelsea? It’s normal, right? I’ve never played in the Champions League!
“I’m happy here, I know everyone, I get along with my team-mates. It’s my home. On the other hand, I also want to take the next step. Fate will decide. Everton paid £20million and do not want to sell me for nothing. If a big club wants me, they will have to pay the price.”
Chelsea regard goalscoring midfielder Fellaini as the perfect replacement for veteran Frank Lampard, who will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season on a free transfer when his current contract expires.
The London club are also set to bring in several other new faces in a summer of upheaval at Stamford Bridge. Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is expected to be one of the new arrivals along with midfielder Isco, who is set to sign on from Malaga.