Chelsea are in advanced talks over a move for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Kai Havertz after agreeing to pay the Bundesliga outfit’s full asking price of £90 million ($118m).
The Blues will pay an initial £72m ($95m) to bring the 21-year-old to Stamford Bridge, with the remainder of the fee to made up in installments
Germany international Havertz is set to become Chelsea’s record transfer, with the deal to sign him surpassing the £72m ($95m) fee paid to Athletic Club in 2018 for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Havertz has long had an agreement in place with the Bundesliga club that he can move away for their asking price as he targets the next step in his career.
Leverkusen wanted the money upfront, but with their star man pushing for the move, they seem willing to relent on small details to complete his departure.
The west Londoners had to ultimately offer more than their last bid, which fell (£18m ($24m) short for the soon-to-be most expensive German transfer of all time.
Havertz’s imminent arrival marks a further statement of intent from Chelsea following the signings of Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner for a combined cost of £91m ($114m) earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is also being backed in his bid to bolster his defence, with his primary target – Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell – closing in on move that is expected to be worth around £50m ($65m).
The 23-year-old England left-back is currently in London having further tests on an injured heel, though deal is expected to be concluded soon regardless of the severity of the issue.
Follow our socials Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google News.
