Chelsea target Andre Schurrle

BLUES REBUFFED BY BAYER

Chelsea have had an offer for Germany winger Andre Schurrle rejected by Bayer Leverkusen.

The German club confirmed they had received the bid, in excess of £16million, but insisted the player would be staying in the Bundesliga.

“We were presented with a very concrete offer from Chelsea for Andre of beyond the €20million mark. The sum was pushed back and forth between the two clubs. We ultimately chose Andre,” the Leverkusen chief executive, Wolfgang Holzhauser, was quoted as saying.

“Andre is very valuable for us. He has also made it clear he would like to stay with us.”

SPURS LAND VERTONGHEN

Tottenham have agreed a fee, believed to be in excess of £12million, to sign Belgian central defender Jan Vertonghen from Ajax.

The 25-year-old will undergo a medical early this week with a view to becoming Andre Villas-Boas’ second signing after Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Spurs have chased the player, who can play on the left side of defence and in midfield, all summer and have had at least two bids rejected.

But a statement on the Tottenham website read: “We’re delighted to announce we have reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Jan Vertonghen, subject to a medical.”

DI MATTEO HINTS AT NEW DEAL FOR LAMPARD

New Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo insists Frank Lampard will remain at Stamford Bridge next season despite interest from LA Galaxy.

Lampard re-established himself as a regular under Di Matteo and the manager said: “As long as he [Lampard] doesn’t get injured he can play for many years. He’s been very influential towards the end of the season.

“At a certain age of course he will need a longer recovery time. I don’t see any problems with him going on. The club will make the decision with Frank but certainly he’ll be here next season.”

HUGHES CLOSING IN ON JARVIS

Queens Park Rangers are close to agreeing a deal with relegated Wolves to bring winger Matt Jarvis to Loftus Road.

The 26-year-old  is keen to return to the Premier League and reignite a career that stalled last season after an impressive run saw him force his way into the England reckoning in March of last year.

Fulham are also keen on the player but are not prepared to meet Wolves’ asking price.

ON THE CONTINENT

Louis van Gaal has been appointed Holland coach until the 2014 World Cup, the Dutch Football Association has announced.

Hamburg have ended their pursuit of David Angel Abraham after the Getafe defender turned down a move to the Bundesliga giants.

Didier Deschamps was yesterday confirmed as the successor to Laurent Blanc as France coach

OTHER NEWS

Northern Ireland skipper Steven Davis, 27, has become the latest player to leave crisis club Rangers by signing for newly-promoted Premier League side Southampton.

Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has joined French side Lille on a four-year deal.

Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs, 38, will captain Great Britain’s football team at the London Olympics, head coach Stuart Pearce confirmed yesterday.