At the end of Terminator 2, as the T-1000 falls into the boiling pit of molten lava steel, he thrashes about assuming the forms he’s previously taken in a desperate attempt to change the inevitable outcome of the situation.
That’s what I’m reminded of every time I read Rudi Völler’s latest quotes on the Kai Havertz situation, with the Bayer Leverkusen sporting director continuing to insist that nothing’s really happening. Though he’s only got one form: denial.
“This is nonsense”, he reportedly replied when asked about this morning’s stories about Chelsea and Leverkusen finding an agreement at €80m(+10m+10m) — that we will probably report as €80m and Leverkusen will probably report as €100m.
Despite Völler’s protestations, the transfer does indeed seem imminent, if not today then soon, with personal terms agreed long ago and now a fee agreed as well after a week or two of negotiations (since Bayer Leverkusen’s elimination from the Europa League two weeks ago). It’s surely just a matter of time and protocol at this point, though you never truly know in football until the ink is dry on the signature.