Chelsea are edging ever closer to securing a deal to take Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz to Stamford Bridge as only the fee has to be sorted to get the transfer over the line.
Havertz has apparently told his club he wishes to leave after they failed to qualify for Champions League football next term.
The versatile midfielder has also agreed personal terms which will see him stay in west London for the next five year.
However, Chelsea have to come to an agreement with Leverkusen over the fee as they are not willing to pay more than £70million – which is £20m less than the asking price.
Marina Granovskaia has been working hard to make Havertz the Blues’ third summer signing following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig, respectively.
And German publication Sport Bild claim a breakthrough may have been made as both clubs are open to a deal which includes add ons.
The report suggests £70m can be paid up front – which was Chelsea’s maximum limit.
Another £20m will then be paid in add-ons which is said to suit both parties as it will allow Granovskaia to continue her spending this summer.
Chelsea will certainly have enough firepower to kick-on and better their fourth-placed finish next season if Havertz completes his move.
However, Frank Lampard will have to fix his leaky defence if he is to close down the gap to Liverpool and Manchester City.
“If you want to compete with the big boys that [defensive record] has to get better significantly.
“If you asked him [Lampard] that’s the department that he is really disappointed about. If you see the type of goals that are going in they are easy to defend.
“They’re goals that you should defend if you are in the top four or if you are going for the league, those type of goals you should know how to easily deal with.”