The Premier League outfit refused to allow the Belgium international to move to Germany in 2013 after seeing the Poland international decide to leave BVB for Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has revealed that Chelsea were unwilling to sell Kevin De Bruyne to the German club after after Robert Lewandowski refused to move in the opposite direction.
Belgium international De Bruyne left Stamford Bridge to join Wolfsburg in 2014 and has gone onto become one of the most highly rated attacaking midfielders in Europe.
Watzke admits he was hopeful BVB would be able to sign De Bruyne in 2013, but Chelsea were unwilling to do business after failing to lure Lewandowski to west London, with the Poland international subsequently deciding to join Bayern Munich.
“It [signing De Bruyne] would have fitted well into the planning'” he told Bild.
“But the conditions could not be agreed. Chelsea were unwilling to let him go because they were angry that Robert Lewandowski had not gone to Chelsea.”
Watzke also insisted that he was not concerned over the possibility of there being no takers for midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, after the midfielder refused to extend his contract past the end of next season.
Manchester United and Barcelona have been heavily linked with the Germany international but BVB have yet to receive any formal offers.
However, Watzke is in no doubt that they will soon start receiving bids for Gundogan.
“There are certainly a number of interested parties,” he added. “lkay has an insane potential.
“If I were in charge of a big foreign club, I would deal with the Gündogan issue definitely.”