Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler may still be insisting that this is all nonsense and that there’s nothing to see here and we should all just move along, but the rest of the football world seems quite convinced that the Kai Havertz-to-Chelsea deal is happening pretty soon, and happening at a record amount.
As per reports from the people who have been closely tracking this situation — perhaps a little too closely, if the incessant non-update updates are any indication — the transfer agreement has been struck at €80m, with another €20m performance-related bonuses possible as well.
Half of that €20m will be payable if Chelsea qualify for the Champions League again, and the other half will be payable if we collect one or more trophies. It’s unclear if this second achievement needs all three titles — Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup — or if just one of the tree is enough. I’m guessing just one of the three.
Our Story: the figures for the upcoming agreement between @ChelseaFC and @bayer04_en for @kaihavertz29. 80 Mio (transfer fee) + 10 Mio (regular participation at Champions League) + 10 Mio (titles in Champions League, Premiere League and FA-Cup) @SPORTBILD
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) August 24, 2020
Falk’s report was confirmed by the Oracle Fabrizio Romano as well, so you know ... here we go!
The base transfer fee will match Kepa Arrizabalaga’s buyout that Chelsea agreed to pay in 2018, but the bonuses — at least the first of which should be easily attainable at this point — will put Havertz at the top of the list for Chelsea. The 21-year-old will also become the most expensive German football player of all time.
Let’s hope he’s worth it!