Kevin de Bruyne vows to never return to Chelsea while Jose Mourinho is manager

Manchester United target Kevin de Bruyne insists a return to Chelsea is not an option – as long as Jose Mourinho remains in charge.

The Wolfsburg star joined Chelsea from Genk in 2012 but was loaned to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for the 2012-13 season.

The Belgian international returned to Stamford Bridge the following the summer but would make just three Premier League appearances before cutting ties with the club for good, signing for Wolfsburg on a permanent deal in January 2014.

It is back in Germany where de Bruyne, 23, has evolved into the league's best talent and his rise has caught the attention of Europe's elite. Manchester United's interest was made known in January by Wolfsburg coach Klaus Allofs, while the player's agent Patrick de Koster has recently revealed preliminary talks with Paris Saint-Germain.

De Bruyne himself is open to remaining in the Bundesliga but will also consider returning to England or trying his luck in Spain. Working with Mourinho again is not an option.

"I think, to be honest, I would not return to Chelsea as long as he is in charge," de Bruyne told Bild. "I know that I like the Bundesliga and it always did me good. But I don't fear returning to England, or playing in Spain. I believe I can make it there. You can't compare my time at Chelsea with what I am doing now."

De Bruyne, who struck 15 goals and provided 28 assists in all competitions in the 2014-15 season, has previously indicated he is happy to remain at Wolfsburg next season, but admits he will see what offers come his way in the coming months.

"You never know what will happen in football," he told Kicker earlier this month, ESPN reports. "A club might step in and make an offer that pleases Wolfsburg and also makes me happy. Right now, I say that I will stay at Wolfsburg. I don't like it when players say they will stay no matter what and are gone after the first offer."