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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Kai Havertz to Chelsea: Transfer target leaves Germany squad to complete move

Kai Havertz has left the Germany squad and is travelling to London in order to complete his £90million move to Chelsea.

The German FA confirmed this morning that the midfielder, who is set to sign a five-year deal with Frank Lampard's side, had been granted permission to leave the camp ahead of an "impending transfer to England."

The deal, which will see Chelsea pay around £72million up front to Bayer Leverkusen, will take the Blues' spending past the £220million mark for the summer.

Havertz was an unused sub as Germany drew 1-1 with Spain in their Nations League game last night, with Havertz new teammate and fellow summer signing Timo Werner scoring for Joachim Low's side.

A statement from the German FA this morning read: "Kai Havertz left the German national team's quarters in Stuttgart on Friday. The reason for this is the impending transfer to England."

(Getty Images)

Bayer Leverkusen also confirmed that they had been in discussions with the national team in order to facilitate Havertz's early exit.

A statement from the Bundesliga side said: "In order to clarify matters for a possible move to the Premier League club Chelsea, Kai Havertz left the Stuttgart team quarters of the German national soccer team on Friday. This step took place after consultation between Bayer 04 and the DFB management."

Oliver Bierhoff, Germany's director of national teams and academy, said: "The future belongs to Kai - in the club and in the national team. Of course we would have preferred if he could have fully concentrated on the national team at the start of the new international season.

"But we are aware of the importance for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Kai and want to deal with it responsibly. At the same time, it is an honour and recognition for German football when young German players are in demand at top international clubs.

"From the experience these players have in collecting abroad - both in terms of sport and personal development - can also benefit the national team. We were in constant contact with Rudi Völler [Leverkusen's sporting director] in order to find a good solution together. "

Havertz become's Lampard's sixth signing of a stellar summer, joining Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr, who will spend the season out on loan.

Lampard does not want to stop the spending there and will now push ahead with his attempts to sign a goalkeeper. Chelsea are in talks with Rennes over a deal for Edouard Mendy but also remain interested in Ajax's Andre Onana, who could be available for £20million but is also of interest to Barcelona.

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