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Chelsea announcement for Kai Havertz being held up by separate transfer
Chelsea have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the signing of Kai Havertz.
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The completion of Chelsea's £90million deal for Kai Havertz is being held up by Bayer Leverkusen, as they continue the search for his replacement. The Bundesliga outfit want to secure a deal for his successor before confirming his departure.
That of course is slightly frustrating for Chelsea but they know the deal is as good as done.
The Blues want to get Havertz settled before the start of the new campaign but now he is unlikely to join up with his new team-mates until after the international break.
Havertz has been set on joining Chelsea ever since they were interested earlier this summer.
Frank Lampard and the Chelsea board were the only ones willing to shell out on the attacking midfielder right now.
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Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United are all admirers but none of them are willing to pay up this summer due to the COVID-19 crisis.
That left Chelsea with a clear run on the player but talks were held up by the involvement of both clubs in the Champions League and Europa League.
Now they have agreed an initial £72million fee, which could rise to £90m in add-ons.
According to Jan Aage Fjortoft, Leverkusen are the ones holding up the completion of the deal.
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He tweeted: "Lot of you ask when the two clubs will confirm the deal. I think it could be next week
"As Leverkusen are working to get Patrik Schick from Roma (on loan in Leipzig this season) as replacement. That could happen next week. Understand this the reason for the delay."
Leverkusen want to land Schick following the end of his loan with RB Leipzig.
However, the deal is no formality with the striker also attracting interest from Fulham.
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Chelsea have been incredibly busy in the transfer market and had already confirmed the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner by the end of June.
Malang Sarr also joined the Blues today on a free transfer from Nice while Ben Chilwell also arrived yesterday from Leicester.
Thiago Silva has also passed his Chelsea medical in Milan and will fly to England next week.
A new goalkeeper is also on the agenda, should the club be able to offload Kepa Arrizabalaga.
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