Kai Havertz leaves Germany squad to 'clarify matters' over Chelsea move

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is expected to complete a transfer to the Premier League club

File photo dated 06-08-2020 of Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Kai Havertz (left). PA Photo. Issue date: Friday September 4, 2020. Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz has left the Germany squad “to clarify matters surrounding a potential move to Chelsea”, the Bundesliga club have announced. See PA story Chelsea. Photo credit should read Sascha Schuermann/PA Wire.
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German midfielder Kai Havertz's move to Chelsea looks to have moved a step closer after he left the national team's headquarters in Stuttgart on Friday.

"Kai Havertz has left the Stuttgart headquarters of the German national team to clarify matters surrounding a potential move to Chelsea," Havertz's club Bayer Leverkusen posted on Twitter. "This took place after a discussion with Bayer 04 and the DFB (German Football Association) leadership."

Havertz has been a summer-long target for Chelsea, with reports claiming the 21-year-old will join the Premier League club for around €90 million (Dh392m).

While negotiations seemed to have slowed in recent weeks, Friday's announcement from Leverkusen suggests Havertz is closing in on a transfer to Stamford Bridge.

His arrival would complete an impressive off-season of transfer activity for Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.

Havertz would be joining international colleague Timo Werner, Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech, Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva, and England left-back Ben Chilwell as new arrivals at Stamford Bridge.

A product of the Leverkusen academy, Havertz broke into the first team in 2016 and has since established himself as one of the brightest talents in world football. He has made 150 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring 46 goals and creating 31 assists.

Havertz made his international debut in September 2018 and has seven Germany caps and one goal.