Despite the expected economic impact and transfer market depression caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, certain clubs are unwilling to slash their prices. Borussia Dortmund are a prime example of this with Jadon Sancho, and it appears that Bayer Leverkusen are set to hold firm on Kai Havertz as well.
Like Sancho, fellow 20-year-old and reported Chelsea target Havertz will have just two years left on his contract after this season, which would normally make this summer the most advantageous time to maximize his transfer value. But Leverkusen are willing to hold on for an extra year unless they get their full asking price. As per BILD, that price is at least €100m, if not more.
Keeping Havertz would of course increase Leverkusen’s chances of Champions League football and maybe even a title challenge, potentially mitigating any reduction in transfer fees.
Trotz Corona 100 Mio wert - Havertz lässt Zukunft offen https://t.co/JFL4rVgANv #Sport #News
— BILD Sport (@BILD_Sport) May 24, 2020
Havertz’s brilliant performances since the Bundesliga returned — back-to-back two-goal efforts against Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach — have only amplified Leverkusen’s stance. Havertz, normally an attacking midfielder or winger, appears to have a mastered the false-nine position as well, adding even more versatility to his game at such a young age.
Chelsea’s search for a versatile forward seems obvious at this point, with links to Dries Mertens, Timo Werner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Joshua King, and others, but signing Havertz could be the best move of all. The financial outlay would be hefty, but he would give Chelsea a big part of the missing quality necessary to start challenging for the Premier League title once again.
Kai Havertz for Bayer Leverkusen in 2020:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 23, 2020
❍ 15 games
❍ 10 goals
❍ 7 assists
This kid is on fire. pic.twitter.com/1xYl9ExSiV