Chelsea are reportedly getting ever closer to signing striker Andre Schurrle from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a pre-contract, as a move to improve their strike force for next season.

The Blues are currently battling hard with fellow London sides – Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal to win a place in the top four of the Barclays Premier League. However, with UEFA Champions League qualification being the main objective, the Blues do have a backup plan if they do not make it into the elite four, as they play Benfica in the Europa League final this month, which would give them automatic qualification.

Times have changed at Stamford Bridge, with their last Premier League title back in 2009 with Carlo Ancelotti as manager. With the imminent arrival of Real Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho, in the summer, Russian owner Roman Abramovich wants to leave no stone unturned to see their strike force improve next season.

Dailymail reveals that Schurrle was set to sign for the London club last summer, but a move could not be finalized in the final stages of the transfer window. The disappointment of the move not going through was publicly spoken about by the German international.

With misfiring striker Fernando Torres, winter signing Demba Ba, and the potential return of on-loan Romelu Lukaku, Schurrle will add quality and finishing into the side.

Even though Juan Mata and Eden Hazard have had a tremendous season together, Abramovich would want them to display their quality in their natural positions, than play as makeshift strikers.

Schurrle has played 63 matches for Leverkusen, scoring 18 goals. The 22-year old, who plays for the German national side, is known for his pace and finishing ability, a key requirement for the current Chelsea attacking line.

As for the deal, Chelsea are finalizing the terms, and should conclude it soon, according to Leverkusen chairman Wolfgang Holzhauser.

“Andre Schurrle has probably signed a pre-contract deal with Chelsea.”

“It all depends on whether we let him go. We have received a concrete offer for a fee which we are considering. But the price alone is not decisive. We must also have alternatives, which we don’t have yet.“