Chelsea are reportedly set for another pay day with former man Jeremie Boga closing in on a move to Rennes.
Goal claims the French side have made an initial £17million bid plus add-ons for the Sassuolo winger, 23.
When rumours of a £13m buyback emerged, Chelsea renegotiated with the Italians, removing the clause and instead inserting a sell-on fee worth between ten and 15 per cent.
And Boga, also linked with Everton, now looks destined to return to former loan side Rennes, who finished third in Ligue 1 last term to secure a Champions League spot.
It’s believed they have already had a bid turned down by Sassuolo and will be hoping the new offer of at least £17m will be enough to get a deal done.
Joachim Low has opened up about what he observed about when Kai Havertz was at the Germany national team training camp before the youngster sealed his Chelsea move.
The Germany manager stated that the new Chelsea star absolutely wanted to take this step.
The midfielder did not play against Spain and has now left the international camp to complete his £62m switch.
Low said: “We knew that the last details would be clarified today and tomorrow with his contract with Chelsea.
“The player was a bit torn. On the one hand, he wanted to join the national team.
“On the other hand, he absolutely wants to take this step. Of course, we also know about the importance and magnitude
“(I) didn’t want to take another risk that something could be endangered in this deal.
“There is the problem; if he has signed the contract and enters Switzerland, he may have to be in quarantine.”
The much-awaited confirmation has been made: Kai Havertz is now a Chelsea player on a five-year contract.
Havertz has become one of German football’s highest-rated young players following his breakthrough at Bayer Leverkusen, setting a series of records for his achievements, including those for the youngest player to make 50 and 100 Bundesliga appearances, which were both previously held by Timo Werner.
Chelsea have eventually announce the signing of the Germany international after a long wait by the club’s faithful.
Havertz had this to say on becoming a Chelsea player. “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. We are delighted to be able to add his versatility and quality to the squad before the season begins.”
Jamie Redknapp has touted Thiago Silva to be Chelsea’s likely best transfer of the season amid the array of good signings the club have made so far.
The Sky pundit heaped praise on his cousin Frank Lampard for bringing the Brazilian in and reckons he could prove more valuable than other new signings Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz.
Redknapp said: “That might end up being the best signing for them because of his experience.
“It might not be the most exciting one but with their young players, sometimes you need someone that can come in and just calm everyone down.
“He’s got amazing know-how, playing at the top throughout his career for the likes of PSG and AC Milan. He’s a winner, he’s played in the Champions League and captained his country.
“He will be a brilliant addition. It will be interesting to see who Lampard sees as his best defensive partner.”
Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz has left Germany training camp in Stuttgart to fly London to seal his move to Chelsea.
The youngster has been heavily linked with a move to the west London club as his Bundesliga resolutely stuck to their gun over a £90m fee.
Havertz was in Stuttgart with Germany’s squad for their UEFA Nations League fixtures, having been an unused substitute as they drew 1-1 with Spain on Thursday night.
Both Bayer Leverkusen and Germany confirmed Havertz’s departure on Friday morning, with the club thanking the national side for cooperating.
“I exchanged ideas with Oliver Bierhoff and Jogi Low over the past few days,” Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller said. “They understand the special situation of the player and also of us as a club.
“We are grateful to the national coach that Kai can now sort things out with our support on site in London.”
It remains unclear whether Havertz will be able to rejoin Germany’s squad for Sunday’s Nations League match against Switzerland.
ℹ️ Kai Havertz has left the Stuttgart headquarters of the German national team to clarify matters surrounding a potential move to Chelsea. This took place after a discussion with Bayer 04 and DFB leadership. pic.twitter.com/pjeAX7Aoe8
“The future belongs to Kai – in the club and in the national team,” Germany national team director Oliver Bierhoff said. “Of course we would have preferred if he could have fully concentrated on the national team at the start of the new international season.
“But we are aware of the importance for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Kai and want to deal with it responsibly. At the same time, it is an honour and recognition for German football when young German players are in demand at top international clubs.
“The experience these players collect abroad – both in terms of sport and personal development – can also benefit the national team. We were in constant contact with Rudi Voller in order to find a good solution together.
Chelsea versatile youngster Ethan Ampadu posted brilliant display for his country in the UEFA Nations League.
Wales goal arrived from Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore with 10 minutes left, and was the only effort on target of the game.
Thrust back into the position he used to fill with aplomb at age-grade level for Wales, having more previously featured in midfield at senior level under Giggs.
Ampadu was an impressive presence in the heart of the Welsh defence, recording a game-high 97 per cent pass success rate. He also won all three tackles he went in for, helping stifle Finland’s main man Teemu Pukki.
Like Tom Lockyer, he barely put a foot wrong. Another good game as he continues to blossom.
The hosts Finland were defeated Wales by 1-0 via Moore’s third international goal for the Ryan Giggs-tutored side at Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
Cardiff City striker Moore nudged home Daniel James’ cross late on to give Wales a dream start to their Nations League campaign.
Olivier Giroud and former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have thrown their weight behind Chelsea over the signing of veteran defender Thiago Siva despite his age.
The 35-year-old sealed a move to Stamford Bridge last week after snubbing offers from other clubs angling for his services. .
Some supporters and experts have suggested that the veteran centre-back’s best years are now behind him, and that he will struggle to adjust to the rigorous demands of English football.
Giroud disagrees, harping on the experience the former PSG star will bring to the young Chelsea squad as he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
“He can bring his experience, his background and his leadership. I think the coach took him for that. We have a lot of young players,” the Blues striker told a press conference.
“He still has his qualities, of course, even if like me he is getting a little older, but I’m sure he will bring us a lot.
“He is going to discover a new league and I am sure he will adapt very quickly. We have a lot of ambitions this year with the recruitment and I hope we can join the race for the title.”
Also looking at the signing of the Brazilian from the same perspective as the France international, Hasselbaink quips that the defender “is a great addition”.
In the words of the former Blues striker: “Thiago Silva will bring with him a wealth of experience and know-how. I understand the signing 100 per cent.
“Obviously, French football is also different than English football which is more demanding so he will have to look after his body especially as they are involved in the Champions League as well.
“But he is a great addition. Chelsea have a lot of young players and he will be there to help them.
“Chelsea have Jorginho who has done that job really, really well. If you look at him during the games when he’s playing, he speaks a lot to the to the young players.
“I think Thiago Silva will be the same. He’s somebody that that the young players can look up to because he’s won a lot.”
Thiago Silva’s wife has revealed how their children put pressure on her husband to sign for Chelsea.
The Brazilian completed his move to Stamford Bridge last week on free transfer after an eight-year stint with Lique 1 giants PSG.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet UOL, as cited by Silva’s wife, Belle Silva, revealed that the move was agreed quickly after PSG lost in the Champions League final.
“We didn’t have much time to advise each other,” she said.
“It was a decision made after the Champions League game, when all the proposals were put on the table.
“Before that, Thiago didn’t want to know anything.
“The dream of living in England and the desire to live in a country where we could master English weighed on our decision.
“As Thiago intends to continue working in football after his career as a player, learning English will make a big difference for him.
“It was a decision taken together, but of course always thinking about what is best for him.”
Silva also revealed that the couple’s children had told their father to move to Chelsea.
She said: “Everyone is very excited about the move. Chelsea are a club the boys have always liked.
“Before we even considered going, they asked, ‘Dad, why don’t you play for Chelsea?’ and now that they are growing up and understanding football well, this interaction is very good.
“There was even a joke when we went to talk to them. We were saying that it’ll be difficult for only one reason… Then my oldest said: ‘For my father, right, mom? Because he doesn’t speak any English’. We had a laugh.”
She added: “Regarding the move to London, they’re in no hurry to find a place. Currently enjoying vacations, they hope to settle in very soon.
“The move will be made calmly. We’re going to London, I’m going to drop the kids off at school and then we’ll go out in search of our residence.
“I don’t think there will be much difference. The climate is practically the same. The biggest issue is friendships, because my friendships are not in London today. But that’s a matter of time.”
