Chelsea Transfer News: Striker Target ‘Ready To Leave’

Chelsea have been alerted to the news that long-term target Lucas Barrios is ready to leave Borussia Dortmund after losing his first team place.

Borrios was an integral part of the side that lead Dortmund to the Bundesliga title last season, scoring 16 goals in 32 games. That form lead to interest from several clubs throughout Europe, with Chelsea making enquiries in the summer.

The German giants refused to sell insisting the Paraguayan striker was part of their future plans. However, after missing the start of the season through injury, Barrios has found himself on the bench for large parts of this campaign having failed to force his way back in to the managers plans.

This has lead the 27-years-old to question his future and suggests it might be time for a change in order to get more first team opportunities:

“The manager often decides to deploy another player and I respect this choice because I’m a professional,” he said. “But I never imagined this situation after scoring so many goals for Borussia Dortmund.

“I have no place in this team despite my performances always being at a high level. Because of this I will discuss my future in the coming weeks. In the last two years I was the top scorer of the team and I was happy but now the situation is different.

“I am 27 years old and my career prospects are very good. I want to play football because that makes me happy. It would be easy to stay on the bench and get paid without playing but that is not me.

“At the end of last season I had the opportunity to change teams. There was interest in me from Russia, Italy and England, but I agreed with the club that I would remain here. Now, even though I still have four-year contract with Borussia Dortmund, I would prefer to leave if I am no longer necessary for the club.”

This will come as a boost to Chelsea who are on the look-out for a striker following the sale of Nicolas Anelka to Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua.