Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle admits interest in Chelsea switch

Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle says it would have been hard to turn Chelsea down if the Bundesliga side had accepted an offer from the Blues for his services.

Leverkusen turned down Chelsea's offer for the Germany international as they felt they would not be able to find a suitable replacement.

"I don't think you would find any player in the Bundesliga who would say that they would not at all be interested," Schurrle said.

"Chelsea would have been very interesting for me. You don't get a chance like that very often in your life."

However, Schurrle, who only joined Leverkusen a year ago from Mainz, respects the club's decision.

"(Director of sport) Rudi Voller has explained the reasoning to me several times," he told Kicker magazine.

"They could not find a suitable replacement and I am too important to Bayer."

Chelsea were reported to have raised their initial bid to 25 million euros and Schurrle is disappointed that such figures were being mentioned in public.

"I can imagine the fans will see me with different eyes now," he said. "If I play two or three bad games, then it could be difficult for me."

PA