De Bruyne ready for Chelsea move

Genk midfielder Kevin de Bruyne hopes he can secure a move to Chelsea by the end of the month after claiming negotiations have begun over a possible transfer to Stamford Bridge.

De Bruyne, 20, caught the eye of a number of Europe's top clubs last year by putting in a series of impressive performances to help Genk lift the Belgian title.

"My manager went to Chelsea on Wednesday and discussions have been good," De Bruyne, who is currently sidelined with a calf injury, told Belgian TV yesterday.

"Maybe by the end of the month a deal can be sorted out, because that would be a good thing for all three parties – and if there is an agreement with Chelsea, I would certainly spend another year at Genk."

De Bruyne's Belgium team-mate Romelu Lukaku is expected to put the finishing touches to his move to Chelsea this week.