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Chelsea confirmed a place in the Champions League group stages next season with yesterday’s 2-0 win over Wolves, and the good news just starts there. Qualification has also opened the doors to negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of German prodigy Kai Havertz, as per a report from Italian Transfer Oracle Fabrizio Romano.
The news here is not exactly new. Six days ago ESPN had already reported on Chelsea were waiting until CL classification to begin talks with Bayer — so that we would know how to structure the deal financially more so than for any competitive reasons, or concerns from Havertz himself. Negotiations were also enabled by Leverkusen apparently dropping their insistence on keeping Havertz for their Europa League campaign.
The only that might stand in the way now is a transfer fee, as Romano also reminds us that personal terms have already been agreed. Bayer are looking for around €80m, which Chelsea appear willing to meet, though maybe not as a straightforward lump sum. Presumably director Marina Granovskaia will work a few conditionals and bonuses in there.
Sadly, there is “Here we go!” yet, but surely we’re getting close!