Peter Bosz: Kai Havertz to Leave Bayer Leverkusen for 'More Than €100 Million'
Mar 14, 2020
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MARCH 07: Kai Havertz of Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena on March 7, 2020 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz has said academy graduate Kai Havertz can't be kept at the club much longer, but suitors will have to pay "more than €100 million" (£90.8 million) to sign him.
Havertz—who already has seven senior caps for Germany—became the youngest Bundesliga debutant when he made his first-team Leverkusen bow in October 2016 at 17 years and 126 days old.
"Kai is 20 years old, but this is already his fourth season in the Bundesliga. That says a lot. Everyone in Germany sees him as a child prodigy. He is from Aachen, has been here since he was eight. Nice boy to work with. Intelligent. He also plays the piano.
"We sold his buddy, Julian Brandt, to Borussia Dortmund last summer. Havertz suddenly became even more of an eye-catcher."
Brandt emerged in Leverkusen's senior ranks several years before Havertz earned his first-team debut, and the latter has looked like he's missed his former comrade at times this season.
Bosz concluded: "He [Havertz] can't be held on to next summer. That will be a transfer of €100 million. What am I saying? More than 100 million!"
The youngster's contract situation is one major factor in why Leverkusen are so willing to discuss a departure, with Havertz's current deal set to expire in 2022.
He can play on the right wing but also tends to thrive as a No. 10. Statman Dave highlighted his return to form of late following a slow start to the 2019-20 campaign:
Kai Havertz has been directly involved in 10 goals (5⚽️ & 5🅰️) in his last 10 games in all competitions.
Bosz also provided insight into how Havertz had his mindset altered after the Leverkusen fans turned on him following a bad patch of form:
"A lot came to him before the winter break. We lost the derby at Koln and three days later also at home to Hertha Berlin. Suddenly the entire stadium whistled him off. He was devastated by that. 'Why do people hate me?' Then he's just another 20-year-old and you explain: 'They don't hate you, but this is how it goes'.
"During the winter break, we showed images that he did not reach the box enough. Now he does that more often. His share of goals and assists has skyrocketed."
DW Sports profiled Havertz—arguably the biggest attacking prospect in Germany—in early March after the player fired back to form with two goals and three assists in four league outings:
Kai Havertz is the youngest player to score 30 Bundesliga goals. ⚽️
Any decision to sell Havertz this summer would be made in an effort to maximise the profit of his sale, with his fee certain to drop if he were to enter the final year of his agreement.
Bosz's estimated price seems appropriate when comparing the sales of Joao Felix or Ousmane Dembele from recent years. Benfica's Felix—19 at the time—joined Atletico Madrid for €126 million in July 2019, two years after a 20-year-old Ousmane Dembele left Dortmund to join Barcelona for €105 million plus add-ons.
Havertz has scored 38 goals and recorded 30 assists in 139 total appearances for Leverkusen, though it seems possible the 2019-20 campaign will be his last at the BayArena.
Leverkusen Sporting Director Talks Kai Havertz Amid Summer Transfer Rumours
Feb 18, 2020
SINSHEIM, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 01: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Kai Havertz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on during the Bundesliga match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at PreZero-Arena on February 1, 2020 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has said the club will assess Kai Havertz's future in the summer amid continued speculation linking him with a transfer.
Since the start of the 2018-19 season, Havertz has gone about establishing himself as one of the best young talents in the game, providing goals and assists from an attacking midfield berth for the Bundesliga side.
Naturally, high-profile interest was reported in the summer, although the Germany international stayed put. Speaking about the team's main asset, Voller said they'll take stock of the situation at the end of the campaign, per 100 per cent Bundesliga - Football at Nitro (h/t Sean Wilson of Goal):
"I am glad that we still held [on to Havertz] this year. We'll see how it looks in summer. He still has a contract until 2022—these are, of course, the classic facts.
"There was already interest in the summer, but we told him that it would be good for him to stay with us for another year. And that was the right decision."
As Wilson relayed, Havertz was reportedly the subject of an offer from Premier League leaders Liverpool in the summer of 2019.
Havertz's talent was recognised late last year, when he was third in the race for the prestigious Golden Boy award. Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix took the prize, with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho in second spot.
As Squawka Football noted, although he's not been at his absolute best this season, Havertz is still having a big influence on matches:
Kai Havertz is averaging 2+ shots, 2+ chances created and 2+ take-ons completed in the Bundesliga so far this season.
In 2018-19, the midfielder finished the Bundesliga campaign with an impressive 17 goals and three assists. This term, he's not been quite as prolific, netting five times from his 19 appearances.
However, the slight dip in form has not dampened the hype around Havertz. The 20-year-old is elegance personified on the ball, able to drift into dangerous areas, dribble past opponents and make smart decisions when he does get into the box.
Per Bundesliga pundit and former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft, the Leverkusen starlet looks as though he'll be one of a number of big stars to be on the move in Germany this summer:
Havertz - Werner -Sancho.
The Big 3 in German football this summer. Seems like all of them could be on the road... https://t.co/kmmoBYgaa6
Although it does appear that this season will be Havertz's last with Bayer, former Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack recently said he should stay for a while yet:
Given his age and his ability, you suspect the midfielder would not be short of suitors if he was on the market in the summer. Provided he gets games for Germany at the UEFA European Championship in the summer, Havertz could well be one of the stars of the tournament.
In the short-term, his ambitions will be limited to helping Leverkusen secure a top-four finish in the Bundesliga. They are currently in fifth, two points back on Borussia Monchengladbach a spot further up.
Kevin Volland Says Premier League 'Very Interesting' Amid Arsenal Rumours
Feb 14, 2020
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 08: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Raphael Guerreiro of Borussia Dortmund and Kevin Volland of Bayer 04 Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund at BayArena on February 8, 2020 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen star Kevin Volland has said he believes the style of football played in the Premier League could suit him.
Volland, 27, has been linked with Arsenal in the past. According to MailOnline's Toby Miles, the Gunners have sent scouts to watch him play.
Their interest will likely be piqued by Volland's latest comments, in which he told Sport1 (h/t Goal) that he is interested in playing in England:
"The Premier League is a very interesting league for me. The pace is extremely high, the league requires a lot of readiness to run and that would be fine for me. But you never know what will happen. I am not the type of person who says: I have to definitely play again in England, Italy or Spain. I feel very comfortable in Leverkusen and leave everything open."
A 10-time Germany international, Volland has been at Leverkusen since 2016, when he joined from Hoffenheim for €18 million.
He has since netted 43 goals in 109 Bundesliga games, including nine in 21 this season.
Volland has played predominantly as a No. 9 in 2019-20, but he is also more than capable of operating on either flank.
As his return of 15 Bundesliga assists over the last two seasons indicates, he is as comfortable creating goals as he is scoring them.
Arsenal already have numerous options in attack. Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe are all talented, versatile forwards, and 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli has shown huge promise this term:
'Arteta is not messing about' - Steve Sidwell @morrisonclinton and @sjsidwell discuss Martinelli's form for Arsenal
But the Gunners have struggled for goals overall. Their tally of 32 goals in 25 Premier League games is the same as Aston Villa's and has them on track to score fewer than 50 goals in a league campaign for the first time since 1995-96.
As a result, new manager Mikel Arteta may look to make some changes to his front line in the summer, and it appears Volland could be interested in a move to north London.
Report: Kai Havertz in Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea Talks amid Exit Rumours
Nov 27, 2019
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 22: Kai Havertz of Leverkusen during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen at Wanda Metropolitano on October 22, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
The 20-year-old has been a first-team staple at Leverkusen since he made his senior debut in October 2016, but Havertz soared to new heights last season when he scored 20 goals in 42 games.
Bild (h/t Metro) reported Havertz will leave the BayArena at the end of this season, and four of the seven clubs that have held negotiations to sign him hail from England.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are also said to have discussed the player's move, while it's no surprise to hear German juggernaut Bayern Munich are the remaining outfit in the loop.
Havertz hasn't impressed to the same extent this season and has only three goals in 16 games. Nonetheless, he impressed enough in 2019 to finish third in Tuttosport's latest Golden Boy vote behind winner Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) and runner-up Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) as the top under-21 player who plays in a European nation's top tier:
Leverkusen's quoted asking price of €130 million (£111 million) could rule out some of those clubs depending on their level of interest. Bayern tend to mount a monopoly on young, available German talent, but that figure falls further outside their usual spending range (of those teams mentioned).
One might also question the alleged interest from Pep Guardiola's City, who appear to have Phil Foden earmarked to inherit David Silva's spot when he leaves the club at the end of this season.
It's easy to see why Europe's superpowers would be interested in Havertz based on last season's form, and the Bundesliga recently shared highlights from each of his 17 league goals:
Metroalso cited comments Havertz made to Marca this month, when the Germany international seemed confident he's ready to test himself outside of the country should the right opportunity arise.
"I think I've picked up enough international experience at Leverkusen," he said. "I know the rhythm of these international matches and I'm confident that I can go abroad at any moment and play at clubs outside of Germany. For the moment, I want to have a good season. Afterwards, we'll see."
Manchester United are rebuilding under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at present, and it doesn't look certain they'll qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League, which is likely a priority for Havertz.
He'd find a German compatriot in Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp if he moved to Merseyside, but the Reds may not be ready to fork out such a massive figure on a young midfielder.
Havertz joined Leverkusen's academy aged 11 and has been a malleable midfielder since he debuted, possessing the knack to be effective in attack from the middle of the park or out wide.
It also shows in the dribbling technician's play that he held Brazil icon Ronaldinho in high regard growing up:
Any team that signs Havertz will have to present a clear step up in prospects for a player who's sure to be highly coveted, with the Premier League in particular showing strong interest.
Peter Bosz on Kai Havertz Transfer Rumours: 'Nobody Can Decide That for Him'
Oct 16, 2019
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 05: Kai Havertz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen gestures during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and RB Leipzig at BayArena on October 5, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz has said "nobody can decide" what decision star midfielder Kai Havertz makes on his future.
The youngster has enjoyed an exciting rise in recent seasons, developing into one of the best players in the Bundesliga and one of the standout prospects in German football. As a result, it's been no surprise to see a number of high-profile clubs linked with a move for the playmaker.
The Leverkusen boss said he would like to keep him for a few more years, but appreciates that may be a challenge, per Sport Bild (h/t Marcus Banks of the Manchester Evening News).
"Of course I would like to keep him, just as I would have liked to keep Julian Brandt, for example," he said, referencing the winger who left Bayer for Borussia Dortmund in May. "Kai is only 20 and still has room for improvement. I can help him there. But it is like this, at the end the player himself must feel when he is ready for the next step. Nobody can decide that for him."
Havertz has had his potential recognised recently, as he was nominated for the 2019 Golden Boy award alongside some of the best young players in the world. BR Football's Sam Tighe believes the 20-year-old has a chance of winning it:
The youngster has long been regarded as a future star in Germany, although few would have anticipated him having quite as productive a campaign last year.
Havertz was the key man in an exciting Leverkusen side, operating in support of the centre-forward. From there, he was afforded freedom to influence the game, whether that be dropping deep to pick up possession or surging forward into the penalty area to get on the end of passes.
Having a knack for goalscoring at such a young age will naturally get the big clubs sniffing around the Leverkusen tyro, especially given he's shown he can produce on the international stage too:
Still, the youngster naturally still has a lot to learn, something Cristian Nyari of DAZN picked up on recently when Leverkusen travelled to Dortmund in the Bundesliga:
Havertz is a special special talent but he's gotta take over games like this, on the road against one of the best teams in the league, and lead his team. Talent is a big part of it, the rest is character and personality. Still love to watch this guy.
While there was some speculation about possibly leaving Leverkusen in the summer, you sense Havertz will benefit from another season at the club, where he will continue to play a vital role in the team.
If he maintains the standards he's showcased since the start of last season, talk about a transfer will only intensify and that may be a challenge for Bosz to deal with. When Havertz does eventually decide the time is right to move on, he will not be short of suitors.
Kai Havertz Happy to 'Stay in Leverkusen for Another Year' Amid Transfer Rumours
Sep 4, 2019
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - AUGUST 17: Kai Havertz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and SC Paderborn 07 at BayArena on August 17, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Kai Havertz is content to spend another season with Bayer Leverkusen after failing to secure a move this summer, despite rumoured interest from several of Europe's top clubs, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
However, Havertz hasn't ruled out moving on a year from now, per Sky Germany (h/t Metro's Coral Barry):
"They haven't scared me off. I don't know exactly what it was like with Timo [Werner], but it just didn't happen for me this year. I think there were a number of reasons why. But I'm happy to be here and stay in Leverkusen for another year. We'll see what will happens next summer."
Havertz referenced Timo Werner's summer of speculation after the RB Leipzig forward was heavily linked with Bayern and Liverpool this summer. Werner eventually signed a new contract with Leipzig but told Sport Buzzer (h/t Mark Jones of the Daily Mirror) he doesn't "exclude anything" when asked about the possibility he could still join another club in the near future.
Speculation on this level is something Havertz is used to after the 20-year-old was linked with Liverpool, Bayern and Barcelona. Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller recently explained why a move to Munich didn't happen:
Bayer Leverkusen's Rudi Völler on Kai Havertz: "It's no secret that there were a few phone calls and big interest. Then I had a friendly call with Rummenigge. But he totally understood that we won't do that for now. And Bayern was not the only club who contacted about Havertz."
Havertz was also said to be attracting interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, according to Sport1 (h/t Charlie Malam of the Daily Express).
There are players that seem destined to play for a specific Football Club. @Arsenal should have 2 top targets for next year. A big upgrade at CB to accompany Saliba, and an adequate replacement for Mesut Özil. Dayot Upamecano & Kai Havertz must play at the Emirates in 2020. 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/W4M1wlUsvM
However, it sounds as though interest closer to home could be the strongest, after Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus recently declared his admiration for the goalscoring attacking midfielder:
🗣 Marco Reus on Kai Havertz: "I will try everything to guide him to Dortmund.
"I don't know how much further the fees will increase and if it could maybe be too much for Dortmund. But I will try my best, just as I did it with Julian Brandt." pic.twitter.com/iR42o85rpx
Reus and Havertz are both on international duty with the Germany squad, helping Die Mannschaft prepare for a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against the Netherlands on Friday.
Havertz justifies such a long queue of suitors thanks to his prolific recent form in the Bundesliga. He helped himself to 20 goals and six assists in the German top flight and UEFA Europa League last season.
He's already found the net twice in as many matches to start this campaign. Havertz scored during a 4-1 win over Alemannia Aachen in the DFB-Pokal first round last month, before adding a goal against Paderborn in Leverkusen's league opener.
RECORD: Kai Havertz is the first teenager in Bundesliga history to score 17 goals in a single season.
Thanks to his pace, technique and vision, Havertz is forming a goal-happy attack with Leon Bailey, Kevin Volland, Karim Bellarabi and Charles Aranguiz. He is playing in a team geared to helping him continue amassing goals and assists and ultimately encouraging greater interest from more clubs on the continent.
It will be a shock if Leverkusen manage to keep their prize asset beyond next summer.
Bayer Leverkusen Hopeful Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt Stay Amid Exit Rumours
May 20, 2019
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 17: (L-R) Kai Havertz, Julian Brandt and Leon Bailey of Bayer Leverkusen after the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf at the BayArena on February 17, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz has said he is hopeful both Julian Brandt and Kai Havertz remain at the club this summer despite transfer speculation.
The midfield duo have excelled this season in the Bundesliga and helped Bayer secure UEFA Champions League football for next term after they hammered Hertha Berlin 5-1 on Saturday.
Speaking about the players to Bayer 04 TV (h/t Nicholas McGee of Goal), the manager said a fourth-place finish will only help the club keep hold of their brightest talents:
"Yes, it's a better chance [of Leverkusen keeping both players]. I don't know. Kai will stay, for sure. And Julian, I hope he will stay. Every player wants to play at the highest level and we have the chance next season to play at the highest level.
"We're looking forward to it. Not only in the Champions League but also the Bundesliga."
As relayed by McGee, Brandt has previously been linked with Champions League finalists Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
According to Bild (h/t Sport Witness), Brandt is close to making a move to Borussia Dortmund after the Bundesliga runners-up triggered a €25 million (£22 million) release clause in the German international's contract.
In addition to BVB, Paris Saint-Germain, Torino and Atletico Madrid are all said to have shown an interest in Brandt.
Per WhoScored.com, Brandt has been one of the most creative players in Germany this season:
Max Kruse: Only Julian Brandt (63) has made more key passes from open play than Kruse (62) in the Bundesliga this season
While he appears set to move on, Leverkusen supporters will at least be content with how emphatic Bosz is when it comes to Havertz's future. After all, the 19-year-old is quickly emerging as the most important player at the club.
Prior to this season, the midfielder had showcased flashes of potential and an inventive edge on the ball. In 2018-19 he upped his productivity levels, finishing the season with 20 goals in all competitions and 17 in the Bundesliga, a haul only bettered by Robert Lewandowski and Paco Alcacer.
Scouted Football put his goalscoring feats into context:
As relayed by Sport Witness, there has been some tentative talk in the German media about a possible transfer for Havertz, although Bayer are said to value him highly:
Same report mentions Kai Havertz, and it’s explained Leverkusen want to keep him for another season, although his agent will talk to the club about a possible transfer this summer.
He’s ‘on the way to world class’ and will ‘certainly cost more than €100m’ now or in 2020.
If Brandt were to leave, it would be a big disappointment for Leverkusen, as he's emerged from the club's academy and cemented his status in the first team as a key player. He's now one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga and, for the price mentioned, would be a bargain.
Havertz is currently the crown jewel of the Bayer side, though, and Bosz will surely look to build a team around him from 2019-20 onwards. For Leverkusen, it's imperative they continue getting into the Champions League on a regular basis to ensure they can keep such exciting talents at the club.
Leverkusen's Julian Brandt Downplays Liverpool, Juventus Transfer Rumours
May 6, 2019
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 05: Julian Brandt of Bayer 04 Leverkusen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena on May 5, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Brandt has downplayed exit speculation involving Juventus and Liverpool, saying he's enjoying himself at his current club.
The 23-year-old gave an interview to the Bundesliga's official website (h/t Goal's Chris Burton), saying he's focused on the 2018-19 campaign for now: "I'm enjoying myself. I've got a contract with Bayer until 2021, so right now all is well. As things stand, I'm staying put. I just want to end the season as best we can."
Sports writer Manuel Veth believes the player meant he'll stay at Leverkusen if they can secure UEFA Champions League football for next year:
Julian Brandt just told Sky90. "As it stands I will stay." The reporter asks back: "As it stands?" Brandt smiles and says: "As it stands." I would interpret it this way. #ChampionsLeague football and he stays at #Bayer, they don't qualify he leaves, likely to #BVB.
With two Bundesliga matches left to play, Leverkusen are tied with Eintracht Frankfurt for the final Champions League ticket. Frankfurt are winless in their last four matches and still have Bayern Munich on the schedule.
Per Goal's Ronan Murphy, there have been more rumours involving Brandt, with Bayern and Borussia Dortmund seen as possible destinations:
He indicated that he’d stay if they got Champions League, but it’s hard for German players to turn down Bayern or Dortmund.
He also noted Sport Bild have reported Leverkusen are set to buy Hoffenheim's Kerem Demirbay, a possible replacement for Brandt:
Bayer Leverkusen will buy Kerem Demirbay for Hoffenheim after meeting his €28m release clause, according to Sport Bild. Who will he replace in the Leverkusen midfield though? Brandt? 🤔 #B04#TSG
The Germany international made his Bundesliga debut with Leverkusen in 2014 and has been regarded as one of the top young players in Germany ever since.
Known for his versatility and well-rounded attacking game, he can play as an attacking midfielder or on either wing and can even drop further back into midfield.
He has tremendous passing range and has racked up 11 assists in the Bundesliga this season. Some of those passes have been of exceptional quality:
Brandt has also scored six goals in the competition and seems more than ready for the move to a top club.
Juventus, in particular, could use a player like Brandt, as they lacked creativity throughout the season and were hampered by poor midfield play in their doomed Champions League campaign.
Brandt's passing ability is reminiscent of that of Miralem Pjanic, who refused to rule out a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in a recent interview with Canal+ (h/t Italian Football TV):
Liverpool have less of a need for creativity but are expected to add to their depth going into next season. Brandt's versatility would make him a great option, as he could replace Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane out wide if they needed a breather or slide into a central role when both are in the starting XI.
