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Chelsea want first-option on Dortmund's Lewandowski included in De Bruyne sale
CHELSEA are ready to sanction the sale of winger Kevin De Bruyne to Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund, as long as they clinch a first-option agreement for Robert Lewandowski as part of the deal.
De Bruyne has spent the season on-loan at Werder Bremen from Chelsea, and was expected to be loaned to the Bundesliga again next year, as part of the package bringing Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle to Stamford Bridge.
However, with Schurrle's switch to West London hitting the buffers, Dortmund have capitalised on Leverkusen's hesitation and are believed to be in advanced talks to sign De Bruyne on a permanent contract.
Chelsea want any deal for the promising Belgian international to include a first-option clause for coveted striker Lewandowski, who is expected to leave the Westfalenstadion this summer.
According to the Evening Standard, the delay in selling De Bruyne to Dortmund is being caused by the Blues' insistence on getting the first option for Lewandowski, and the move could collapse if this fails to come to fruition.
As Express Sport reported last week, Chelsea have abandoned their pursuit of £50 million striker Falcao in order to focus on Lewandowski, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
But with the futures of Bundesliga stars De Bruyne, Schurrle and the Polish international seemingly intertwined negotiations for any transfers look complicated.