Kai Havertz in reported Chelsea medical after ‘final’ Bayer Leverkusen training session
Kai Havertz has completed a medical with Chelsea ahead of a club-record transfer, according to reports.
Frank Lampard has already secured the signings of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva, but the biggest deal is yet to come.
Chelsea have been linked with signing Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz all summer, in a deal that is reportedly worth £90m in an initial fee plus add-ons. However, as the start of the 2020/21 season edges closer, no deal has been confirmed by either club, despite the long-running saga.
There have been suggestions Chelsea and Leverkuksen were waiting until their respective European campaigns were over before finalising Havertz move, but there has seemingly been little movement since the clubs were knocked out of the Champions League and Europa League respectively.
It was then claimed that Leverkusen were waiting to confirm the signing of a Havertz replacement first, but journalist Fabrizio Romano reported they have agreed to sign Patrik Schick from Roma for £24m earlier this week.
Havertz has also now linked up with the German national team ahead of their two Uefa Nations League matches against Spain and Switzerland, adding to fears among Chelsea fans that he may not be announced any time soon.
However, according to German outlet Bild, Havertz has in fact already completed a medical at Chelsea, with just the announcements to be made.
Bosz makes Havertz admission
These reports were supported by Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz’s recent admission that Havertz is not expected to return to the club after the international break.
“Kevin Volland and the national players didn’t participate today in training today,” he told a press conference on Monday.
“Leon Bailey also wasn’t there. Unfortunately our squad isn’t set yet. I don’t expect Kevin Volland (set to join Monaco) and Havertz to train with us again.
“It’s possible more players will transfer and we definitely still have to add some players.”
Bosz went on to comment about Chelsea’s busy transfer window in a period where other clubs are having to watch their incomings, adding: “There are clubs and people, like Roman Abramovich in this case probably, who are able to and want to pay it. They will have calculated it well.
“Kai is not the only player joining Chelsea this summer.”
Antonio Rudiger turns agent again
But if there is, or at least was, still some persuading to do for Havertz to join Chelsea, centre-back Antonio Rudiger is on the case. The German defender, who came under criticism for his performances on the pitch last season, has earned himself a spot in Chelsea fans’ hearts for his work as an honorary agent.
Rudiger was credited with contributing in Werner’s move from RB Leipzig to Chelsea, and looks to be helping out again.
“Everything went well with Timo Werner, so I made my contribution,” he said when asked if he could have any influence over Havertz’s situation.
“And I hope that it works again now.”
Should the Havertz deal go through as so many expect, the 21-year-old will be a welcome boost to Chelsea’s attacking output, with the Blues struggling in front of goal at times last season.
Kai Havertz has now scored 18 goals across all competitions this season, no player in the Chelsea squad managed more in the 2019-20 season. 😉 pic.twitter.com/c5Sdy8HtAy
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 10, 2020
Across all competitions, only four Chelsea players reached double figures for goals, with Tammy Abraham top scoring on 18 – the same as Havertz managed.
But after the Englishman, the next closest were Christian Pulisic and Willian on 11 goals, the latter having since left to join Arsenal. Olivier Giroud was the only other Chelsea player to record double figures, with six of his 10 goals coming in the final two months of the season.
