Chelsea seal De Bruyne deal

Chelsea have completed the signing of highly-rated midfielder Kevin de Bruyne from Genk, while they have bid for Nottingham Forest's Patrick Bamford.

De Bruyne 

The 20-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal and will remain at the Belgian champions on loan until the end of the season.

De Bruyne, who is predominantly a left-sided player, has been on Chelsea's radar for some time and has played twice against the London club in this year's Champions League group stages.

A statement on Genk's website read: "The transfer of Kevin De Bruyne to Chelsea has been completed. He has signed for five and a half seasons and will continue (playing with) Genk until June.

"His signature was confirmed at 0.30 last night. De Bruyne and his agent will return back today from London, along with general director Dirk Degraen.

"Genk will hold a press conference with (director) Jacob Gunther and Dirk Degraen in which they will clarify the transfer policy.

"Afterwards, Kevin De Bruyne will also give an explanation about his transfer to the English club."

Meanwhile, Forest have confirmed that Chelsea have made a £1.5m bid for teenage striker Bamford.

Bamford has made just two substitute appearances during his short career at the City Ground.

He has also attracted interest from other clubs and Forest manager Steve Cotterill is set to discuss the bid with his chairman as he does not expect Bamford to sign a new deal with the East Midlands club.

"There has been a bid for him from Chelsea, it is for £1.5million," Cotterill told the Nottingham Evening Post.

"The problem we have is that Patrick has been offered a couple of contracts now and I am not sure he will sign a new contract at Nottingham Forest.

"We are going to have a meeting to decide where that goes. What materialises, we will find out shortly."

And AC Milan have signed 18-year-old Austrian striker Philipp Prosenik from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. Prosenik joined Chelsea in 2009 from Rapid Vienna.

Eurosport