Wolfsburg close to signing de Bruyne

Wolfsburg are close to reaching agreement on signing Chelsea's Belgian striker Kevin de Bruyne, general manager Klaus Allofs has confirmed.

Wolfsburg are reported to be ready to pay around 20 million euros ($A31 million) for the 22-year-old, who could join up with the squad at its training camp in Abu Dhabi or in time for a trip to China.

"We are close," Allofs said in Abu Dhabi on the potential signing of a player he had also signed on loan while at Werder Bremen in 2012.

De Bruyne returned to Chelsea in the summer but has been unable to command a first-team place under Jose Mourinho.

In an interview published on the club's website, Allofs said the club would not be looking for major signings in the current transfer window.

"We don't want to change too much. Of course, when you can get a player like Kevin de Bruyne, who also wants to join Wolfsburg, then it's quality which is good for any team," he said.

"The important thing is that even if the squad is unchanged we can look ahead at the rest of the season with confidence."

Wolfsburg are fifth in the Bundesliga table.