Transfer News: European giants gather to pursue 23-year-old Chelsea hitman

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayer Munich show interest in Chelsea star Kai Havertz

European giants Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are looking to engage in a bidding war to lure Chelsea star Kai Havertz away from Stamford Bridge.

The news comes after Media Foot (via Football, London) reported that PSG and Bayern Munich are considering making offers for the German international.

PSG believe Havertz would be an ideal signing for them as they continue to dominate French football. Recent reversals to Lens and Rennes have otherwise exposed chinks in the Parisian juggernauts.

The player joined the Blues from Bayern Leverkusen in 2019 for £72 million and hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. The exception was his winning goal in the 2020–21 Champions League final against Manchester City, which helped the Blues win the trophy for just the second time in their history.

In 119 games for Chelsea, the 23-year-old has only scored 29 goals and provided 15 assists. He has six goals in 27 games across all competitions this season, sharing the team’s top scorer status with Raheem Sterling.

However, given that the 23-year-old has primarily played as a striker under Graham Potter, it wouldn’t be a good idea to sell him during the January transfer window. Potter also doesn’t appear to have much faith in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and is short of strikers to begin with.

Under the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss, the 23-year-old played in 23 games and has contributed five assists and five goals. His contract expires in 2025 as well (Transfermarkt).

Havertz has shown little to suggest that an extension is a deserved reward. Unless he rolls up his socks soon, Chelsea are better off salvaging what they can from his sale.

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Going to PSG might also be a mistake because the club is already stocked with elite players. At Bayern Munich, he has the option of playing as a striker or on the right side since the team doesn’t appear to have a substitute for Leroy Sane or Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Whether he can take over from an ageing Thomas Muller is debatable.

Chelsea should nevertheless keep him over the summer before making a decision about his future. As Havertz has remained one of a few Chelsea goal-scorers in the ongoing campaign.