Chelsea: Lampard addresses Havertz transfer rumour
Bayer Leverkusen head coach Peter Bosz jokingly confirmed that Kai Havertz had played his last match for the club last night amid links he could join Frank Lampard's Chelsea this summer.
Chelsea are hoping to sign Kai Havertz this summer (Image: GETTY)
"Yes, I can exclusively announce he'll play for [Dutch outfit] Heracles Almelo," Bosz, who previously coached Heracles in two separated spells, said.
Bosz expertly diverted the question as talks rumble on behind the scenes.
Havertz has told club bosses that he wishes to leave after they failed to qualify for next season's Champions League. Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has recently warned that he will not be forced into a sale if his demands are not met.
"No, but with his talent, it means he's on the list of all the best clubs," he said.
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"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.
"It won't be easy, but for an artist like him there is no COVID discount."
Havertz scored during last night's Europa League loss but Bosz rued his side's slow start which allowed Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku to put Antonio Conte's side 2-0 up.
"We lost against a great opponent," he said. "We didn't play well in the first 20 minutes and had problems dealing with Lukaku, then things improved and we thought that we'd turn it around. We could've done better and are disappointed.
Bayer Leverkusen want Chelsea to pay £90m for Kai Havertz (Image: GETTY)
"Marcelo Brozovic was allowed far too much freedom in the middle of the park and we had to make changes after those initial 20 minutes. As for Lukaku, he's just too strong in one-on-one situations.
"We moved [Moussa] Diaby to the left, because they were pressing our wide men, and Diego Godin doesn't like coming out from the back, so we had more space then to build."