Leverkusen has been playing hardball in recent weeks, demanding £80m for their star man. And it looks like Chelsea will meet their demands, with add-ons included in the deal. Havertz is expected to be a Chelsea player in the coming days, despite the transfer window slamming shut on October 5.
According to the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano of The Guardian, Kai Havertz is close to joining Premier League giants Chelsea. Romano claims that ‘total agreement’ will be reached between Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen in the next few hours.
The Blues have already signed Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech and Havertz would be their third major signing of the summer. The deal is ‘about to be completed’ because Leverkusen will accept Chelsea’s offer of an initial €80m (£72m). That money is expected to be paid upfront, with a further €20m in add-ons that will take the overall value of the package to €100m (£90m). €10m (£9m) worth of add-ons will be paid to Leverkusen when Havertz reaches expected milestones for Chelsea, including playing in the Champions League knockout stages. The remaining €10m will depend on any trophies that Frank Lampard’s team win over the next five seasons.
Havertz exploded into form at the turn of the year and has since emerged as one of the best young players in Europe. The 21-year-old played a direct hand in 18 goals (12 goals, six assists) in 30 Bundesliga appearances and six goals (four goals, two assists) in five Europa League appearances in 2019/20. Havertz is capable of playing out wide, up top or in central midfield and his versatility will be particularly appealing for Lampard.
Chelsea’s business will not finish at Havertz’s arrival, with Ben Chilwell on his way from Leicester and former Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva set to join on a free transfer. A new goalkeeper could also come in following Kepa Arrizabalaga’s shambolic displays in the just-concluded season. With the business done so far at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans will lobe forward to next season with great expectations as Lampard enter his second year in charge.
