Kai Havertz is ready to accelerate a big-money move to Chelsea with the Germany international handing in a transfer request at Bayer Leverkusen. Frank Lampard’s men are in pole position to land Havertz, and expect to fend off interest from European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to secure his signature.
Havertz wants to leave Leverkusen and the German club are prepared to allow his exit. The 21-year-old has only two years remaining on his contract and Leverkusen have failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Chelsea are the favourites to sign Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, but are not willing to pay the £90m asking price. The Bundesliga side value Havertz at £90m but his representatives are hopeful a deal can be structured with bonus payments and add-ons that would satisfy all parties. Chelsea have already shown they are prepared to invest in the transfer market this summer by signing Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech for next season. Blues owner Roman Abramovich is willing to bankroll transfers this summer as he believes there is more value in the market, with prices dropping because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chelsea’s rivals may also struggle to compete in the market, with the European Club Association estimating European clubs will lose more than £3.5 billion in revenue over the next year because of the pandemic. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich also want Havertz but they are not in a position to pay Leverkusen’s asking price without selling players. Manchester United are also interested but their priority signing this summer is Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. The 21-year-old, who even started to captain Leverkusen on occasion in the second half of the Bundesliga season, is recognized as one of the best emerging stars in Europe after managing 53 combined goals and assists across all competitions since the start of 2018/19. It has already been reported this week that Havertz has decided the time is right to leave Leverkusen. The player himself also previously hinted it was likely to be on the cards when he said in April: “I’m ready to take a big step, and I like challenges. For me, this also includes abroad.” Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro additionally confirmed just last month that the Bundesliga side would not try and block a transfer. “Kai has been with us for 10 years. I see the player’s desire to take the next step sometime in the near future. You have to respect that as much as the fact that he has a contract in Leverkusen until 2022,” Carro tellingly admitted.
The Premier League club also understood to be interested in signing Leicester and England left-back Ben Chilwell. Former Blues academy graduate Declan Rice has also been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge too, from London rivals West Ham. Havertz is a multidimensional talent who can play in various positions across the midfield & frontline. Frank Lampard would love to have someone so versatile in his arsenal. Do you think this transfer will go through? Tell us your views in the comments section.
