Havertz to Chelsea? Leverkusen deny agreement reports: ´This is nonsense!´

Bayern Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has dismissed reports claiming a deal with Chelsea for Kai Havertz is close as “nonsense”.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with Germany international Havertz for several months, as the club looks to become Premier League title challengers next season.

Media reports on Monday claimed the two clubs were close to an agreement on a deal worth an initial €80m (£72m), with potential add-ons of up to €20m (£18m).

But Voller is adamant no such deal has been struck, suggesting Chelsea’s pursuit of their primary target is still some way off completion.

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— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) August 24, 2020

“This is nonsense,” he is reported to have told DPA, in quotes also run by Sport Bild.

If Havertz does eventually join Chelsea, he will follow Hakim Ziyech and Germany colleague Timo Werner at the club for next season.

Chelsea were unable to sign players in the transfer window ahead of the 2019-20 season due to a ban imposed because of rule breaches relating to the signing of young players.

That two-window ban was halved in November, giving them freedom to begin conducting transfer activities again and they have been emphatic in their preparations for 2019-20.

Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Sergio Reguilon have also been strongly linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.