Real Madrid are lining up Kai Havertz to replace Karim Benzema after the Frenchman announced his departure from the Bernabeu.
Benzema has called time on his career at Los Blancos after 14 years and will depart this summer, a year before his contract was due to expire. It leaves Madrid scrambling to find a replacement for the striker, who won the Ballon d'Or last year.
Havertz appears to be on their shortlist, as Carlo Ancelotti looks to bounce back from a disappointing campaign in LaLiga. Chelsea are thought to be ready to listen to offers for the German, who has failed to live up to his £72million price tag.
That has attracted Madrid, with BILD reporting Madrid will 'work quickly' to secure a deal with the Blues. Havertz is said to be Ancelotti's 'dream player', with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez also thought to be a big fan.
A 'mega deal' is being proposed, with hopes that it can be completed very quickly. Havertz was Chelsea's top scorer in the season just gone, but he has struggled with consistency since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2020.
It is claimed that Madrid were interested in signing the attacker back then, but missed out to Chelsea. Now though, the Blues are being forced to trim their bloated squad following a disastrous season which saw them finish only 12th in the Premier League.
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Havertz is a prime target to be sold this summer, despite having scored the goal that won the Blues the Champions League in 2021. The German himself may be ready to depart having come in for frequent criticism during the dire campaign.
Back in February, Havertz came under fire following a run of six games without a win for the Blues. A 2-0 defeat to Tottenham led to former Aston Villa star Gabriel Agbonlahor singling Havertz out for criticism.
"Look at Havertz. I mean, he saw two managers off. He's not doing anything. He's not a No 9, he's not a No 10. He's not holding the ball up, he's not scoring goals," Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.
"The big worry for me when I watch Chelsea is some of the body language of some of the players. Even Enzo Fernandez, he's been outstanding since he signed for Chelsea, but even he sort of looked a bit fed up with his team-mates and the lack of connection between them.
"For me, these players look like they have a lack of confidence, lack of chemistry between them. Loftus-Cheek hasn't performed for ages for Chelsea. Some of these players need to get their finger out and start putting in performances and not just blaming the manager for everything."
Havertz still has two years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge, meaning Chelsea do not neccessarily need to sell him this summer. But with Madrid interested and the squad needing to be cut down, he is a prime candidate for a departure.
