Atletico favourites to take Mourinho misfit De Bruyne away from Chelsea in January

Chelsea's out-of-favour Belgium international Kevin de Bruyne is wanted by Atletico Madrid in January.

De Bruyne confessed this week that he may have to consider a mid-season move away from Stamford Bridge after failing to impress manager Jose Mourinho.

The 22-year-old midfielder, signed from Genk for £6.7million nearly two years ago, has played only five minutes in the Barclays Premier League since August and wants regular football to protect his place in the Belgium squad at the World Cup next year.

Club issues: Kevin De Bruyne (left) has fallen out of favour under Jose Mourinho (right) at Chelsea

Unsettled: His club performances have now spread to his national team Belgium

Schalke and Wolfsburg are also keen to take De Bruyne back to the Bundesliga, where he performed well on loan at Werder Bremen last season.

But Atletico have made their interest clear and the chance of a move to Spain would have more appeal for the player.
Atletico already have Chelsea's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on loan for a the third year.