Following the reports that Kai Havertz has agreed to sign a five-year deal with Chelsea, the German's current team, Bayer Leverkusen, clarified that the player is yet to be released and will remain with the side until "certain requirements are met." Havertz is bound by an agreement that will govern his exit from the club.
The clarification was made by Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller, who insisted that the 21-year-old playmaker remains part of the Bundesliga team. The executive came out as reports indicated that Chelsea and Havertz are nearing a deal that will complete the latter's switch from Germany to England.
"We have a clear and mutual agreement with him and his representatives that he can only leave if certain requirements are met. Otherwise, he will stay," Team Talk reported Voller as saying.
While Voller did specify on the details of the agreement, it is believed that Leverkusen's chief concern for the deal to push through is the payment of demand fee for Havertz's release.
It is understood that the Germans are willing to give the star his release papers but Chelsea will need to agree first on paying the full price tag, which Leverkusen set at around £90 million.
The Blues are thought ready to meet the price demanded by the German side but by installment, which is seen as a point of disagreement that is delaying the completion of the transfer talks.
It would seem that Leverkusen's stance is due to the belief that Havertz is worth the huge amount that Chelsea will need to part ways with. As Voller reminded: "We're talking about a wonderful footballer."
Former Leverkusen defender Roberto Hilbert has the same high regard for the young player, who according to him is smart, talented, and hard-working.
Hilbert is convinced that with Havertz on the side of Stamford Bridge, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard can make a go for the Premier League title next season. The youngster's signing is seen to complete the roster upgrades being implemented by Lampard in the past months, started with the acquisition of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Lampard said that his signings indicated indeed that the Chelsea roster is undergoing a major strengthening, both on the offensive and defensive ends. The imminent arrival of Havertz, for instance, is the Blues boss wanting to boost his side's goalscoring capabilities.
"I wouldn't expect anything but it's our job to go away and see what happens and see where we can improve," Metro reported Lampard as saying.
Another signing target by Lampard in the summer transfer window is West Ham center-back Declan Rice, and the player's addition is hoped to start plugging the holes on Chelsea's defense.
