CHELSEA signed Kai Havertz for a cut price £70million after playing hardball with Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga side were seeking a British record £90m fee for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder. But Havertz, who signed a five-year Stamford Bridge deal, came in for £20m under the asking price. Havertz left Germany’s training camp to have a […]
CHELSEA signed Kai Havertz for a cut price £70million after playing hardball with Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga side were seeking a British record £90m fee for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.
But Havertz, who signed a five-year Stamford Bridge deal, came in for £20m under the asking price.
Havertz left Germany’s training camp to have a medical today before putting pen-to-paper on a contract believed to be worth £310,000-a-week.
He told Chelsea’s official site: “I am very happy and proud to be here.
“For me it is a dream come true to play in a big club like Chelsea and I can’t wait to meet all the players and the trainers. Yeah, I am very happy to be here!”
Havertz joins Timo Werner, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva as new summer recruits at Stamford Bridge.
Hakim Ziyech also joined up with his new team-mates after signing a contract in February.
Chelsea’s transfer supremo Marina Granovskaia, who finalises the deals and got an extra £13m for Eden Hazard’s move, said of the latest arrival: “Kai is one of the best players of his age in world football, so we are very happy that his future lies at Chelsea.
“He has proven pedigree in one of the best leagues in Europe, he plays for the German national side and he is an exciting, dynamic talent.
“We are delighted to be able to add his versatility and quality to the squad before the season begins.”
Chelsea will pay £62m initially, but there are add-ons included.
It takes transfer outlay at Chelsea to around £190m since the turn of the year.
And they may not stop there, with West Ham’s Declan Rice a target if they can find another £65m, although players may have to be sold first.
Havertz, who can also play off the right flank, has caught the eye for Leverkusen – netting 29 goals in the last two Bundesliga seasons.
He was also the youngest Bundesliga player to make 50 and 100 league appearances further highlighting his sky-high potential.
Chelsea fans will also have defender Antonio Rudiger to thank for the arrivals of Werner and Havertz.
He said of his German compatriots: “I made my contribution to Timo. I hope that it will happen with Kai too.”
