Chelsea
are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a £70m deal to sign Kai Havertz.
Sky Germany are reporting that all other suitors for the Germany
forward are now out of the race to sign the 21-year-old.
Chelsea technical adviser Petr Cech will fly to Germany following the
conclusion of the Premier League season on Sunday to hold face-to-face
talks.
Bayer Leverkusen are understood to value Havertz at £90m but, with only two
years remaining on his contract, Chelsea are looking to agree an initial fee
around £70m, with performance related add-ons also to be included.
Havertz is understood to be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, with the
player impressed by the side Frank Lampard is building.
Chelsea have already completed the signings of Havertz's Germany teammate
Timo Werner, and Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech, who will join a squad that will
be expected to close the gap on Premier League champions Liverpool next
season.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were also interested in Havertz,
but were not in a position to meet the asking price, while Manchester United
are prioritising their pursuit of Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea are on the brink of securing Champions League football for next
season, with a win in either of their two remaining Premier League games -
against Liverpool and Wolves - enough to secure their place in Europe's top
competition.
The London club were unable to sign players last summer as they served a
Fifa transfer ban for breaching rules on signing young players, but appear
keen to make up for lost time during the upcoming window.
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