Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen for €80million (£72million), potentially rising to €100million (£90million) with performance-related add-ons.
The Germany international, described as a generational talent, has signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and will be one of the squad’s highest earners.
Havertz, 21, had asked to leave Leverkusen at the end of last season after Peter Bosz’s side failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Personal terms between Chelsea and the attacker had long been agreed.
However, their initial bid last month fell short of Leverkusen’s expectations with the Bundesliga side under no financial pressure to sell their captain and prized asset.
Chelsea had been the only interested party this summer, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich taking a step back for financial reasons. As a results there had been confidence on all sides that a deal would be struck with the only sticking point being the fee.
Havertz becomes the second Germany star to swap the Bundesliga for Stamford Bridge after Timo Werner’s move from RB Leipzig.
Speaking to the official club website, Havertz said: “I am very happy and proud to be here, For me it is a dream come true to play in a big club like Chelsea and I can’t wait to meet all the players and the trainers. Yeah, I am very happy to be here!”
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: “Kai is one of the best players of his age in world football, so we are very happy that his future lies at Chelsea.
“He has proven pedigree in one of the best leagues in Europe, he plays for the German national side and he is an exciting, dynamic talent.
Frank Lampard has already signed Ben Chilwell from Leicester City for £50million, Hakim Ziyech from Ajax, young defender Xavier Mbuyamba from Barcelona.
Thiago Silva, the veteran centre back who played his final game for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich, has signed as a free agent.
