Bayer Leverkusen director of sport Rudi Voller has admitted that his side are interested in signing Chelsea attacker Kevin de Bruyne.
De Bruyne has made just eight appearances for Chelsea so far this season, sparking speculation that he could be set for a return on loan to the Bundesliga having spent a season with Werder Bremen last campaign.
Voller has acknowledged that Leverkusen, who currently sit second in the Bundesliga table, are looking at the prospect of signing the Belgian, but hints that they face competition from a number of other teams.
"We made no secret of our interest in Kevin De Bruyne right from last summer. There are many clubs interested in him. Regardless of our league position, we're always looking for new players," Voller told Germany's Sky Sport.
"It's possible that we do sign somebody this winter, but then again, we could go into the second half of the season with the same team and look to do something next summer.
"If you do anything, then it's got to be a top alternative to what we've already got here."
Meanwhile, Leverkusen were handed a Champions League tie against French champions Paris Saint-Germain in this afternoon's draw for the last 16.
Barney Corkhill
