Liverpool have reportedly held talks regarding the availability of Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Kai Havertz. However, the European champions are expecting to face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Havertz, 20, according to Bild, has been valued at £111 million by the Bundesliga outfit with the Reds having already begun discussions with the German international’s representatives.
The youngster has already appeared 125 matches for Bayer – scoring 31 goals and registering 23 assists. He also has seven international caps for four-time World Cup winners Germany.
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – DECEMBER 11: L-R Karim Bellarabi and Kai Havertz of Leverkusen and Cristiano Ronaldo of Turin during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus at BayArena on December 11, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
What RTK has to say
At £111 million – according to Bild – it is very difficult to see Liverpool smashing their club transfer record for a player who is still largely unproven.
The fact Liverpool are currently undergoing talks with Haverts typifies the club’s gargantuan rise and their ability to lure some of Europe’s hottest properties to Anfield.
Bayer are currently seventh in the Bundesliga and are nine points off of current leaders RB Leipzig. Leverkusen also missed out on the Champions League knock-out stages this season after being eliminated to the Europa League. This could convince Havertz to push for a move if he believes his prospects are better served elsewhere.
As an attacking midfielder, Liverpool could sway away from the deal after completing the signing of Takumi Minamino. The 24-year-old plays a similar role to Haverts and was more than ten times cheaper than the asking price for the German midfielder.
Jurgen Klopp has only ever broken the bank for players who were already at the pinnacle of Europe’s elite. It’s an encouraging thought to see Liverpool keeping tabs on Havertz but it is unlikely FSG will want to smash their transfer record this January.