Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has confirmed that Kai Havertz wants to ‘make the next step’ in his career amid speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Chelsea.
Chelsea have been busy in the wake of their two-window transfer ban, landing Leipzig striker Timo Werner and Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech for a combined total of around £80million but Frank Lampard is far from finished in this summer’s market.
Signing a top-class left-back remains a priority and the club are also looking to bring in a new goalkeeper, with Kepa Arrizabalaga set for the exit door after a dismal campaign between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
Havertz has reportedly agreed a five-year contract with Chelsea but the Blues are yet to strike a deal with Leverkusen over the youngster’s price as the Bundesliga outfit hold out for an offer of €100m (£89.8m).
Leverkusen have made no secret of Havertz’s desire to leave but their chief executive, Carro, has refused to rule out the possibility of the 21-year-old staying on for another season in Germany.
‘It was always clear that we will have talks once the Europa League season concluded,’ he told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger.
‘Kai has voiced his desire to make the next step.
‘At the moment, I can’t say whether this will work out in the near future or not.’
Lampard underlined Chelsea’s need to strengthen after their crushing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League but warned fans not to ‘expect’ any news regarding Havertz.
On Chelsea’s plans to bolster their squad, Lampard said: ‘We will look at that because that’s our job, my job and we’re very joined up with how we’ve worked at it already.
‘From having a transfer ban, you feel the fact we missed out where other clubs had spent and improved and recruitment is a big part of this game.
‘Nights like tonight for me from a footballing sense show me a lot so it’s a conversation now the season is ended.
‘It’s a very quick turnaround but now is the time to see what areas we can improve in.’
Asked specifically about the rumours surrounding Havertz, he replied: ‘I wouldn’t expect anything but it’s our job to go away and see what happens and see where we can improve.
‘In a footballing sense, I feel like I know where we can improve but now it’s time to look at that.’
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