Chelsea No Closer To Signing Dutch Starlet Amid United Interest

The agent of Chelsea and Manchester United target Marco van Ginkel has denied he has held positive talks with Jose Mourinho ahead of prospective transfer to Stamford Brigde, insisting a move is still some way off.

The Blues were thought to be close to securing a deal for the highly rated Vitesse Arnhem midfielder after initially approaching the club last month, but Chelsea's reported offer of £8m hasn't been enough to tempt the Eredivisie outfit, who see £15m as a more realistic figure.

Comments attributed to van Ginkel's agent Karel Jansen yesterday suggested Chelsea remain favourites to secure his client's signature. However, Jansen has since claimed there has been no developments following Mourinho's arrival.

"Nothing is sure," Jansen told the London Evening Standard. "There is interest but it is not the time for all parties to say something about it.

"A lot of things are being said and written and it's a bit chaotic. From our side we are just keeping quiet and we will see what happens."

Van Ginkel, who has been capped once for the senior Holland side, enhanced his reputation during the Under-21 European Championships, leading many to assume a deal could be concluded once the Dutch campaign came to an end.

Although United have also been linked with van Ginkel's international teammate Kevin Strootman, who also featured in the Under-21 tournament in Israel, David Moyes side continue to be linked with the Vitesse schemer. But the Premier League champions may find themselves at a disadvantage should it come down to a straight duel between the English pair for the midfielder's signature.

Chelsea maintain a healthy relationship with van Ginkel's club, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich a personal friend of his Vitesse counterpart Merab Jordania. The healthy relationship between the two clubs has seen Chelsea youngsters Patrick Van Aanholt and Gael Kakuta move to the Eredivise club on loan in the past, circumstances that could leave the initiative with Chelsea.