Chelsea: key forward ‘likely’ to be marketed
Real Madrid is interested in acquiring Chelsea’s Kai Havertz this summer, according to the Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg.
Is Kai Havertz abandoning Chelsea?
According to reports, with Madrid reportedly interested in the forward, Havertz is expected to depart Chelsea this summer, bringing to a close three years in which the German forward never really displayed his best form.
If Havertz leaves the Blues this summer, he will forever be remembered for netting the game-winning goal in the Champions League final against Manchester City in 2021.
In 139 appearances over three seasons at Stamford Bridge, the former Bayer Leverkusen player has scored 32 goals and assisted on 15 more.
Still only 23, one could contend that Havertz still has ample time to achieve success at Chelsea. Nevertheless, according to Steinberg, the London club is ‘likely’ to transfer the forward this summer.
Meanwhile, he won’t be the only current first-team star to depart Stamford Bridge, as N’Golo Kante appears to be enticed by Saudi Arabia’s financial incentives. Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian reports that the veteran Frenchman is poised to sign an £86m-per-year contract with PIF-backed Al-Ittihad, where Karim Benzema has also recently arrived.
How much profit will Chelsea make from the sale of Havertz?
According to Steinberg, Chelsea has placed a substantial £75 million price tag on Havertz this summer, with Real Madrid targeting the German forward in an effort to replace the departing Karim Benzema.
The large fee would result in a profit for Chelsea after spending £71 million on Havertz to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2020.
Given the forward’s struggles since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, the price tag is somewhat surprising.
Havertz, once described as “exceptional” by Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, scored just seven Premier League goals as Chelsea finished in 12th place.
Todd Boehly may seek to recoup the over £500 million spent on underperforming athletes during the course of the season.
According to a recent report by Martyn Ziegler of The Times, Chelsea must also sell players in order to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, placing Havertz on the list of potential departures in the coming months.
If Havertz leaves the club, he will make space for rumored incoming signing Christopher Nkunku, who recently won the Bundesliga Golden Boot with 16 goals.
According to Romano once more, the RB Leipzig forward will shortly be introduced as a Chelsea player, having completed his medical in September and signing a contract in December.
With Nkunku’s impending arrival, Havertz’s departure would not be unexpected, particularly if Madrid continues to pursue a deal for the German forward.
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Chelsea: key forward ‘likely’ to be marketed