Kevin de Bruyne wants to leave Genk at the end of the season and remains open to joining Chelsea after coming close to a summer move.
Genk winger aware that asking price could put off suitors
Kevin de Bruyne wants to leave Genk at the end of the season and remains open to joining Chelsea after coming close to a move in the summer.
The Blues have been tracking the winger for some time and a deal was understood to have been agreed for him to come to Stamford Bridge during the last transfer window, but Genk eventually decided to keep him.
Andre Villas-Boas confirmed that he was still an admirer of De Bruyne before the teams met in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the campaign, and the 20-year-old believes his time in Belgium could be coming to an end.
However, he does not expect anything to be done this month and recognises that Genk's asking price could put off potential suitors.
De Bruyne told
Het Nieuwsblad: "It is the intention to find something else at the end of the season. Genk knows that, I have already told them last summer.
"If it continues as it is right now, I won't expect any problems. Only Genk demands a lot of money for me.
"I am just a player from the Belgian league. Genk demands a lot of money, maybe even too much.
"I don't know what will happen now.
"But as Genk request a lot of money it will be difficult to move on to a European side. If a club can pay that amount of money, you will automatically play for a very big club."
Make the step
De Bruyne has a good idea of how much it will take for Genk to part with him after Chelsea spent €9million (£7.9m) to land goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the same club in the summer.
Asked if the price might be decreased, he said: "I don't think so. Genk will want at least the same. I haven't spoken about it."
Despite the potential stumbling block of a hefty fee, De Bruyne would still like to secure a switch to the Premier League club.
"The plans were there," he said when asked if he hoped to join Chelsea
"However, it's up to the club. For me it isn't that difficult. At such a club you will always earn enough."
Asked if a transfer could happen this month, De Bruyne said: "No, I don't think so. Genk won't let me go.
"However, you never know if there will come an offer that can't be refused. However, for me it would be better to end the season at Genk and then make the step."
