Kai Havertz transfer boost for Chelsea as Bayer Leverkusen exit Europa League
Chelsea target Kai Havertz may have played his final game for Bayer Leverkusen after they exited the Europa League with a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Antonio Conte's Inter Milan.
The 21-year-old scored Leverkusen's only goal of the game, slotting through the legs of Samir Handanovic for his 18th of the season.
Having already brought both Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech to Stamford Bridge, Havertz now tops Frank Lampard's transfer wish list as he looks to build a new-look attack.
Standard Sport understands the highly-coveted youngster is desperate to play for Lampard and Chelsea next season, while the west London club believe they can strike a deal in the region of £70million.
Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has insisted Chelsea will receive no discount for the youngster but - most prominently - the German club had remained adamant Havertz would not leave before the end of their Europa League campaign.
In defeat to Inter, that roadblock is now out of the way for Chelsea, who now just have the task of agreeing a fee and personal terms to land their man.
Prior to the game, manager Peter Bosz was full of praise for Havertz, who he believes to be the best player to ever play for Leverkusen.
"He’s the best player I’ve seen at Bayer," Bosz said. "We had Emerson, [Michael] Ballack, Zé Roberto and Kroos – he tops them all."
Given that Ballack won 19 major trophies in a glittering career, including seven at Chelsea, that's certainly some statement.
And with Leverkusen now out of the Europa League, Chelsea have received a major boost in their pursuit of the star to be.
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