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Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed that Kai Havertz has left the Germany squad after yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Spain in the Nations League, to complete a “possible” transfer to Chelsea. They’re calling it possible only because that’s not a final, official confirmation yet of the transfer that’s dragged on for the past month, if not longer.
“I exchanged ideas with Oliver Bierhoff and Jogi Löw over the past few days. The DFB’s understanding of the special situation of the player and also of us as a club. We are grateful to the national coach that Kai can now sort things out with our support on site in London.”
-Rudi Völler; source: Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Telegraph
When even Captain Reluctant Rudi Völler’s confirming things, you know it’s happening!
ℹ @kaihavertz29 ist vom @DFB_Team abgereist, um Angelegenheiten für einen möglichen Wechsel zum @ChelseaFC zu klären.
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) September 4, 2020
Dieser Schritt erfolgte nach Absprache zwischen #Bayer04 und der @DFB-Führung.https://t.co/ztFAKbeouT
Other reports today of the transfer have concentrated on the final fee negotiated by Chelsea, and it sounds like we managed to grab a €20m discount on the €100m demanded all along by Bayer Leverkusen.
And that discount is including add-ons, which means that Havertz technically will not be the most expensive Chelsea player of all time. Kepa still holds that with his €80m (£71m) buyout clause. Chelsea were apparently hoping to accomplish this to not have that extra added pressure hanging over Kai’s head — Matt Law’s report in the Telegraph makes the fee “just” £62m (€69-70m) with £8m (€9m) in potential add-ons.
Havertz will not become the most expensive signing in Chelsea's history - even if all the add-ons are realised. One pressure he doesn't need to worry about #cfc https://t.co/1OLzP6E5ef
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 4, 2020
This is slightly reminiscent of Real Madrid playing currency games to insist that Gareth Bale wasn’t their record signing and Cristiano Ronaldo still was, but the lower fee is also confirmed by The Athletic’s Daid Ornstein. He’s expecting things to be officially official within the next 24 hours as well.
€ not £ https://t.co/2LKKGEVCXZ
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 4, 2020
For what it’s worth, Transfer Oracle Fabrizio Romano is still going with the previously reported €80m + €10m (easy add-ons) + €10m (complicated add-ons).
Either way, this is happening, just as it’s been happening for some time.
Just a bit more patience required.
Good times.