Chelsea FC’s bid to sign Kai Havertz just got a big boost when rival Manchester United decided to drop out of the race. It appears the Red Devils opted to go in a different direction and target a more affordable player in Donny van de Beek. The Blues have already started to discuss a deal with Bayer Leverkusen. Havertz carries a hefty $94.2 million price tag.
Reports of United backing out in the race for Havertz comes from the Daily Star. In the report, it was mentioned how the Red Devils opted to pursue van de Beek instead. Ajax is asking $55 million for the Dutch midfielder, a whole lot cheaper compared to the German.
In ways, the deal makes a lot of sense. Both Havertz and van de Beek have produced almost similar numbers in terms of assists. As far as goals scored, van de Beek is ahead by only one goal, 15-14. Regardless, it is no secret that Frank Lampard is eying Havertz to join fellow German Timo Werner. Though the deal has not yet been finalized, the German striker is expected to make a jump to Emirates Stadium in the summer.
Havertz is seen as a good acquisition for the Blues if Lampard can finalize a deal with Ajax. No less than former Liverpool player weighed in on Havertz, believing he would be best suited with Chelsea, a team currently in rebuild mode. Lampard has focused on the infusion of youth and Havertz is just one of many targets on his list.
"For the first time in a long time, you have a team with which the fans can really identify. If a Timo Werner or possibly a Kai Havertz were to be added, it would be an incredibly exciting and interesting story. If I think about where I see the clubs now and in two or three years, the decision for Chelsea would be a relatively easy one for me as a player," Hamann said
Aside from Werner and Havertz, expected to join Chelsea next season is Hakim Ziyech. There is also Ben Chilwell on the Blues radar, ironically someone who is also on the player watch of United.
Looking ahead, the Blues look promising. But to seal the deal and convince players like Chilwell to sign up, qualifying for the Champions League could help sway them to their side. The Blues are at the fourth spot of the Premier League table, just three points ahead of United.
