KAI HAVERTZ will reportedly remain open to joining Chelsea even if they miss out on a Champions League spot.
BBC Sport claims the Bayer Leverkusen star, 21, does not consider participation in next season’s competition essential to deciding his next step.
Chelsea do not have to finish in the top four to complete a deal for Kai Havertz
Instead, Havertz is said to prefer joining a club based on their long-term plans for the future, with Champions League football next term purely an added bonus.
That’s a huge boost for Frank Lampard, who is desperate to add Havertz to his ranks this summer.
Chelsea are in a three-way race for two Champions League spots with Leicester City and Manchester United with only three games remaining this season.
Despite losing 3-0 to Sheffield United at the weekend, the Blues remain in third after Leicester lost to Bournemouth and United drew with Southampton.
Chelsea can go four points clear with victory against Norwich tonight, although they will have played a game more.
But even if they slip up against Liverpool and Wolves to end up fifth – which will no longer count as an extra spot after Man City had their ban overturned – Havertz will still be open to a summer switch.
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Transfer Window podcast guru Ian McGarry reckons Lampard has placed great stock in landing Havertz, with the German potentially netting double figures for Chelsea from midfield.
However, Havertz’s arrival means Jorginho is set to leave for a return to Italy.
McGarry explained: “There is a strong interest from Chelsea in the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.
“The reason for that is people will think Chelsea are well-stocked in midfield… it’s two-fold.
“Lampard expects and is preparing for Jorginho to leave this summer. The possible destinations are Juventus and Inter Milan.
“If so, Havertz would be a very good replacement.
“The second factor is Havertz has a very good eye for goal and Lampard being Chelsea’s all-time top scorer from midfield is something he appreciates more than most.
“Lampard is desperately trying to get goals from different positions in the field, hence why they bought Timo Werner.
“He reckons Havertz would add about 10 or 15 goals from midfield.”
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By: Anthony Chapman
Title: Chelsea boost as Kai Havertz ‘open to transfer even if they miss out on Champions League’
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12122086/chelsea-kai-havertz-champions-league-transfer/
Published Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2020 16:18:31 +0000
