Boulahrouz set for Stuttgart

Blues defender ready for German return

Last updated: 21st July 2008

Khalid Boulahrouz

Boulahrouz: Never settled at Chelsea

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Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart claim to have agreed personal terms with Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz.

The Dutch international has struggled to settle at Stamford Bridge since arriving in the summer of 2006, and spent last season on loan at Spanish side Sevilla.

A number of impressive showings at Euro 2008 proved that he is a better player than his club form of late would suggest, and it has no come as no surprise that he is now attracting interest from elsewhere.

Stuttgart are believed to be willing to part with 5million euros (£3.9m) for the 26-year-old, with coach Armin Veh excited by the prospect of getting the commanding full-back on board.

"He is just the man we are lacking," he told Bild.

"He is one who is not scared of getting involved when needed."

Meira off

Should Boulahrouz complete a switch back to Germany, where he enjoyed a two-year spell with Hamburg prior to joining Chelsea, he will be expected to fill the boots of the outgoing Fernando Meira.

The Portuguese international was granted permission to leave Stuttgart's pre-season preparations on Monday and is expected to complete a transfer away from the club in the coming days.

"We have allowed Fernando Meira to leave for now since he has several offers which he can now consider," said the club's director of sport Horst Heldt.

"He has decided to start something new. For us, his decision to leave VfB is not easy."