Bayer Leverkusen Reject Chelsea Bid For Andre Schurrle

Chelsea aren't just looking at Victor Moses and Hulk, apparently for help on the wings, apparently. Germany international Andre Schurrle is also apparently on their radar, and according to a report from a Cologne paper Bayer Leverkusen have now turned down an official bid for the forward:

Leverkusen lehnt ein 25 Millionen-Angebot von Chelsea für Andre Schürrle ab. Das berichtet der Kölner Express. #ssnhd

— Sky Sport News HD (@SkySportNewsHD) July 8, 2012

So, a €25M bid for Schurrle, eh? Why would Chelsea do that?

First of all, it's not clear whether or not this is true. I'm not familiar with the Cologne Express, so I don't know how reliable it is (although there are quotes floating around from Leverkusen's CEO which heavily imply that this is legit). Secondly, Schurrle is a reasonable alternative to our problems with depth on the wing and at centre forward - he's 21 and is already good enough to both star for Leverkusen and to push for serious playing time with Germany. Seven goals in 16 appearances will do that for you.

However, he's also likely to be very expensive. He's signed through the 2015/16 season, and Bayer have very little motivation to sell unless a crazy offer comes their way. €25M is unlikely to cut it, and Chelsea will have to go higher if they really want him. Would it be worth it? Perhaps. I would expect Schurrle to be a top-level player for some time, meaning that we'd be able to get multiple long-term contracts out of him, and his wages shouldn't be too high for now, mitigating some of that cost. He's a better player than Victor Moses, and has some of that versatility we're seeking with Hulk.

I remain uncertain that spending so heavily on a player unlikely to be a need -- Chelsea's projected third band of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Ramires is just fine, thank you -- is wise, but given the choice between Schurrle, Hulk and Moses and their probable prices, for me it's likely to end up with Schurrle every time.