Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel as long-term suitors Bayern Munich have reportedly ended their interest in the player, who was expected to make a move to the German capital last summer but it never materialised.
The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the best young right-backs in the world and caught the eye of many fans with his displays for the Netherlands during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Chelsea have been linked with the player a while now too, especially since our Sporting Director Frank Arnesen admitted that we had an interest in the player back in January:
“Gregory is on our number one list but not currently at the top. If we’re serious, nothing will happen until the summer.”
The wait could have paid off for the Blues as there could now be plenty of room for van der Wiel at the club this summer as the futures of both Jose Bosingwa and Paulo Ferreira are in doubt and many expected the Portuguese duo to be moved on during the next transfer window.
Van der Wiel will be entering the last 12 months of his contract this summer and could be available for around £9m, according to the Guardian, and the player has said that a move could work out well for him:
“I’ve never left Amsterdam and I don’t know what life is like elsewhere.
“It would be a huge challenge [to move] but it ought to work out well – I’m sure of that. I want to win trophies, keep progressing and play at the very highest level.”
(FIFA.com)
Could Gregory van der Wiel be Chelsea’s first signing of the summer?
I would like chelsea to sign he,he is a talented right back who like pushing attarck,very strong in the defence.chelsea should sign him,neymer,mata,bale.modric and kaka
I cannot understand the continued speculation about Gregory van der Wiel? I just hope that the story is not true as I can see Branislav Ivanovich putting in a transfer request. Ivanovich knows he is already well down the pecking order for a central defensive position with JT, David Luiz and Alex ALL ahead of him. With his excellent performances at RB why would he be prepared to sit on the bench watching van der Wiel? With Paulo Ferreira as cover for him I feel that Chelsea have more pressing needs like another keeper as back up for Petr Cech and a World class winger to join Torres and Drogba up front.