The attacking midfielder will not be Chelsea’s record signing is expected to sign a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge
Kai Havertz will not become the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history after director Marina Granovskaia managed to negotiate an initial fee of around £62million for the German international.
And even if the £8m in add-ons are eventually realised, Havertz’s full transfer fee will not top the £72m Chelsea paid for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga two summers ago.
Chelsea had been reluctant to make Havertz their club record signing, not because they do not believe he is not good enough, but because of the pressure such a title would have put on the 21-year-old’s shoulders.
Kepa has undoubtedly struggled under the weight of being Chelsea’s record signing and the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, but Havertz on Friday travelled to London without any of that extra pressure.
Leverkusen had wanted £72m, plus add-ons totalling another £20m, but with Chelsea the only club willing or able to pay big money for him this summer, coupled with the attacking midfielder’s desire to move to London, Granovskaia was able to negotiate the German club down.
Havertz on Friday left the German national team camp in Stuttgart to complete his move to Chelsea on what is expected to be a five-year contract. He becomes the club’s fifth signing of the summer, with head coach Frank Lampard still hoping to add a new goalkeeper and possibly a defensive midfielder to his squad before the transfer window shuts next month.
Confirming Havertz’s departure from the German camp, a statement from the national federation said: “Kai Havertz left the German national team’s quarters in Stuttgart on Friday. The reason for this is the impending transfer to England.”
Oliver Bierhoff, director of the national team, added: “The future belongs to Kai – in the club and in the national team. Of course we would have preferred if he could have fully concentrated on the national team at the start of the new international season.
“But we are aware of the importance for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Kai and want to deal with it responsibly. At the same time, it is an honor and recognition for German football when young German players are in demand at top international clubs. From the experience these players have in Collecting abroad – both in terms of sport and personal development – can also benefit the national team. We were in constant contact with Rudi Völler in order to find a good solution together.”
Leverkusen appeared to confirm the move in a statement that added: “In order to clarify matters for a possible move to the Premier League club FC Chelsea, Kai Havertz left the Stuttgart team quarters of the German national soccer team on Friday. This step took place after consultation between Bayer 04 and the DFB management.”
Leverkusen sporting director Voller said: “I exchanged ideas with Oliver Bierhoff and Jogi Löw over the past few days. The DFB’s understanding of the special situation of the player and also of us as a club. We are grateful to the national coach that Kai can now sort things out with our support on site in London. Culled from the Daily Telegraph
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