KEY POINTS

  • Bayer Leverkusen is not open to giving a COVID-19 discount for Kai Havertz
  • Die Werkself in no rush to deal out Havertz
  • Havertz one of the best players for Leverkusen per Voller

Chelsea F.C. remains linked to Kai Havertz Bayer Leverkusen but will have to raise funds to meet the asking price of Die Werkself. Aware that the 21-year-old is a hot target, sporting director Rudi Voller made it clear that there will be no COVID-19 discount for the services of Havertz.

Leverkusen is seeking $115 million for Havertz, a hefty fee that could force the Blues in a corner. Die Werkself is in no rush to deal away from the German midfielder. Havertz has two years left in his current contract but Voller is open to letting him leave if their asking price is met, La Gazzetta Dello Sport reported.

"We know of the interest of a couple of clubs, especially Chelsea, but for us, the situation is quite simple: he has a two-year contract, if anyone wants him on our terms, fine, otherwise he stays here another year and we are happy," Voller said. "It won't be easy, but for an artist like him there is no COVID discount."

Voller is sticking to his belief that Havertz is still well-off staying at BayArena. He ranks among the best players the club has seen. The list includes Emerson, Ballack, Ze Roberto and Kroos. But in the opinion of the 60-year-old German, Havertz is at the top of those greats.

"For me, he's the best I've seen at Leverkusen, and I've been here for a lifetime. We had Emerson, [Michael] Ballack, Ze Roberto, [Toni] Kroos, but he's on top," Voller said.

As mentioned in a previous post, there is still no formal offer made for Havertz. And even if there was one in place from Chelsea or some other clubs, Die Werkself expects the 21-year-old to finish the season first before moving out.

"For me, he's the best I've seen at Leverkusen, and I've been here for a lifetime. We had Emerson, [Michael] Ballack, Ze Roberto, [Toni] Kroos, but he's on top," Director of sport Simon Rolfes said.

Germany midfielder Kai Havertz sat out Leverkusen's 2-1 win over Bayern Munich last November due to injury
Germany midfielder Kai Havertz sat out Leverkusen's 2-1 win over Bayern Munich last November due to injury AFP / Ina Fassbender

This should be unwelcome news for the Blues who recently bowed to Bayern Munich in their Champions League last-16 duel, 4-1. Chelsea trailed Bayern 3-0 before the match but Der FCB never let its guard down to complete a crushing 7-1 aggregate win over the Blues. Bayern now preps for its quarterfinal meeting with FC Barcelona.

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