Liverpool fans could be forgiven for keeping a close eye on the Bundesliga in recent weeks with two of the club’s top transfer targets featuring regularly in the German top flight.
With Timo Werner’s potential move to Anfield hogging the headlines, the ongoing pursuit of Leverkusen star Kai Havertz has been forced to take a backseat. However, the Reds could potentially become embroiled in a bidding war for the talented 20-year-old, and they must ensure that they don’t end up paying a vastly inflated sum for the Aachen-born attacking midfielder.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are all interested in signing Kai Havertz, according to Sport Bild 💰 pic.twitter.com/bnQWXRu0UE
— Goal (@goal) June 4, 2020
Generally regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in European football, Havertz has enjoyed a superb start to 2020, and has flourished in both the Bundesliga and the Europa League this calendar year. His performances have attracted interest from a number of clubs including Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea. In June 2019, Leverkusen were believed to have rejected a €90 million offer from Bayern Munich, with the North Rhine-Westphalia-based outfit reportedly holding out for more. Despite this offer being rebuffed 12 months ago, the Bavarian club are seemingly still interested in acquiring the German international, and his omission from the team-sheet when the two sides met on June 6th did very little to quash these rumours.
Wherever he ends up next season, it is highly unlikely to be at the BayArena. Although Peter Bosz’s side still have ambitions of finishing in the European spots, and are 4/7 for a top four finish in the latest German Bundesliga odds, Havertz is clearly a cut above, and appears destined for a successful career in the Champions League.
He came through the Bayer academy and became the club’s youngest ever debutante at the age of 16. He netted 17 times last season, and impressed with both his goal-scoring ability and his off-the-ball movement. He has a knack of always being able to find adequate space in the final third, and loves to receive the ball with his back to goal. At 6’2, he can also be a significant threat in the air, whilst he can also use his strength to good effect, giving opposition defenders plenty to think about.
🗣”Timo Werner is a great player, Kai Havertz is a great player, right time opportunity has to come together”
Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool signing players pic.twitter.com/uJb568gfSQ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 8, 2020
With many Premier League clubs having to cut their cloth accordingly this summer, Jurgen Klopp’s men will not want to pay over the odds for a player who doesn’t necessarily fit into their system. Although he has been utilised in a variety of positions since bursting onto the scene, the 20-year-old has largely been deployed as an attacking midfielder, a position which seemingly doesn’t exist in the German boss’ preferred 4-3-3 formation. €90 million would be a significant outlay for a player who may force the Reds into deviating from a system which has led them to Champions League success. Liverpool look set to strengthen their squad this summer, although their transfer kitty is likely to be modest compared to many of their fellow top-flight sides, and several departures may be necessary in order to help fund a potential deal for Havertz.
The attacking midfielder is likely to become a firm fan favourite wherever he ends up, however, Liverpool may be better placed to look elsewhere this summer. Havertz will face plenty of competition in Merseyside, and with bids expected to rise beyond the £100 million mark, the Reds’ hierarchy could simply refuse to stump up the funds for a player who doesn’t quite fit into the system.