7am Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Kai Havertz CONFIRMED, Hazard to Madrid worth £143m to Blues, Mendy price tag – The Sun

September 5, 2020

KAI HAVERTZ is finally a Chelsea player after the Blues confirmed the capture of the German starlet for a price believed to be around £62m.

Meanwhile, the Blues are targeting Rennes shot-stopper Edouard Mendy in a bid to provide top competition for underwhelming Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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Get all the latest transfer gossip and updates from Stamford Bridge…

GOOD MORNING, CHELSEA FANS
The Blues have got their man!
No, not Lionel Messi… Kai Havertz!
The Germany international signed late last night in a deal thought to cost an initial £62million.
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 has been praised for negotiating a tight deal for the Blues and she told the club website: “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.”
And Frank Lampard is set to keep his summer spending going as he targets a new keeper and defensive midfielder.
It is believed they have already had a £15million bid turned down for Rennes' Edouard Mendy.
And Lampard is also a fan of Ajax keeper Andre Onana, having been in contact with his representatives throughout last season.
The Chelsea head coach has several options in midfield, helped by the fact N’Golo Kante appears ready to remain a Blue.
But Declan Rice, 21, remains a top target for the club.
LAMP OF GOD
Kai Havertz is keen to get to work with Frank Lampard.
The German signed for Chelsea this evening – their fifth major summer buy ahead of the new season.
HALT RIGHT THERE
Christian Pulisic has what it takes to play for “the world’s biggest clubs”, says USA national team coach Gregg Berhalter.
The American strongly impressed after the coronavirus shutdown and is set for a starring role at Chelsea next season.
But Berhalter reckons he is on course for a move to Spain or Germany, telling Bild: “At 21, he is a leader at Chelsea.
“It doesn’t happen that often that a Bundesliga player moves to England and immediately convinces there.
“He quickly got used to the speed and the more physical style of playing in England. He is a role model for other U.S. players in the Bundesliga whose goal is the Premier League.
“Christian is perfect for Chelsea. All dangerous attacking plays go through him, he shines as a goal scorer and provides assists.
“If he can keep this level, he can play for the world’s biggest clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Real Madrid.”
TELL THE TIM
Timo Werner reportedly snubbed Manchester City in order to sign for Chelsea.
Sport Bild claims the German striker was a top target for Pep Guardiola this summer despite being strongly tipped to join Liverpool.
However, then-RB Leipzig star Werner turned down Pep’s advances once Chelsea boss Frank Lampard entered the running.
The Blues ended up paying a bargain £47million after meeting Werner’s release clause.
CHELSEA BOYS
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Conor Gallagher both came off the bench in England Under-21s’ 6-0 thrashing of Kosovo earlier.
Elsewhere, Jorginho remained on the bench for Italy's 1-1 draw with Bosnia.
OH JO
Things aren't going right for Jorginho's Italy in Florence…
An Edin Dzeko goal has put Bosnia 1-0 up with less than half an hour left to play.
The Chelsea midfielder remains on the bench as Roberto Mancini waits to see how his charges respond.
'EXCITING, DYNAMIC'
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has waxed lyrical about Kai Havertz's talents after his move from Bayer Leverkusen.
She told the club website: “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.”
HE'S OUR KAI
Here's what Kai Havertz had to say on putting pen to paper on his Chelsea contract.
The German is thought to have agreed a five-year deal to join from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee in the region of £62m.
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!”
BREAKING
It's a done deal…
Kai Havertz signs for Chelsea!
BOG OFF
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.
JOR DROPPED
No Jorginho in the Italy XI tonight.
Nico Barella, previously strongly linked to Chelsea, starts in midfield for Roberto Mancini's side versus Bosnia.
HAVE IT OFF
Germany coach Joachim Low has delivered the latest on the Kai Havertz deal from his perspective.
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.”
BAK IN FOR HIM
Reports in Italy suggest AC Milan are once again interested in Tiemoue Bakayoko.
The Frenchman spent the 2018/19 season on loan at the San Siro, playing 42 times.
And MilanNews.it claim the Rossoneri have made contact with the Blues over a deal for the outcast midfielder.
FOR-EMER YOURS
Inter Milan's evergreen interest in Emerson Palmieri remains intact, according to reports.
SportItalia say Antonio Conte's side are still monitoring the left-back.
That is despite Roma veteran Aleksandar Kolarov's imminent arrival.
Chelsea have already signed Ben Chilwell this summer, potentially forcing Italy international Emerson out of the first-team picture.
YOUNG LIONS
Keep an eye out for England Under-21s as they kick off in 40 minutes.
Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi are in the line-up to face Kosovo.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is on the bench and we will keep you up to date with all the Blues lads in action.
NO MESSING
Any lingering hopes of Chelsea grabbing Lionel Messi from his Barca chaos appear to be over.
The Argentine has said he will not go to court with his club and, unless someone bids £630million, he is staying put.
Any Blues fans fancy a bid when he becomes a free agent next year?
LIKE A BOSZ
Chelsea are nearing the deal for Kai Havertz and Bayer Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz is not looking forward to the confirmation.
Bild quote the Dutchman as saying: “We are losing a great player.”
The Blues are reportedly paying an initial £62m for the attacking midfielder.
ON GUARD
John Terry claimed his infamous guard of honour was one his “favourite moments” of his career.
Chelsea's No26 was substituted in the 26th minute of his final Premier League game for the club in 2017.
He was given a guard of honour as he left the pitch during the game against Sunderland.
The defender's bizarre end to his Chelsea career was widely slated by rival fans.
But while talking to Kevin Pietersen on the Unacademy platform, he revealed he has no regrets.
Terry said: “It's one of the favourite moments of my career.
“I remember other players like Lamps didn't get the send-off they deserved so I was happy to go out how I wanted.
“[Antonio] Conte told me I could play the match but we came to an agreement that I would play for 26 minutes and that would allow Cahill to keep his rhythm ahead of the final the next weekend.”
HAZARD WARNING
Luka Modric has spoken of Chelsea legend Eden Hazard's determination to impress at Real Madrid – even if it risked his long-term fitness.
The Belgian struggled with injuries and a lack of form throughout his first year in the Spanish capital.
Speaking to AFP, the Croat said: “Eden is a great guy and a special player, but he was playing with pain and when you're on the pitch, people always expect the best.
“They don't care if you have little problems.
“I spoke to him and said, 'Eden maybe you need not to play now and recover because next season we need you at your best.
“This is a season where you're getting to know everything but next season you need to be 100 per cent because if not, it's going to be difficult'.
“Hopefully he comes back without any problems and then I'm sure he'll show his potential and why the club bought him, because we will need him a lot.”
QUIZZARDS OF OZ
TO BE FRANK
Frank Lampard is set to keep his summer spending going as he targets a new keeper and defensive midfielder.
The Blues boss has already welcomed Hakim Ziyech, 27, Timo Werner, 24, Ben Chilwell, 23, Thiago Silva, 35, and Malang Sarr, 21, into his squad.
But he is due to take his transfer business past £200million as he closes in on a club record deal for 21-year-old Kai Havertz.
The playmaker left his Germany's Nations League squad to allow him to finish off the final stages of his £90m move.
But according to The Telegraph, Lampard is still in the market for a stopper and defence-minded midfielder.
SunSport revealed under-fire Kepa Arrizabalaga will fight for his place at Stamford Bridge, but it will not stop the club from bringing in competition.
It is understood that Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and West Ham's Declan Rice are on Chelsea's radar.
NO TRAIN, NO GAIN
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Two Chelsea players have been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham are both in line to win the trophy.
They join Man Utd duo Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in the running for the award.
SILVA LINING
Jamie Redknapp could be Chelsea's best transfer of the summer, according to Jamie Redknapp.
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.”
BLUE MOON

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