---
title: "Chelsea: Why Blues almost withdrew their interest in Kai Havertz"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/why-chelsea-almost-withdrew-interest-in-major-target-kai-havertz/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Georgia Goulding"
section: "Chelsea Football Club"
published: "2020-08-26T20:20:35Z"
modified: "2020-08-26T20:20:35Z"
---

# Chelsea: Why Blues almost withdrew their interest in Kai Havertz

**Chelsea are on the home straight in their pursuit of Kai Havertz, with all but a transfer fee agreed and wrapped up.**

The German youngster has already [agreed personal terms](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours/chelsea-agree-kai-havertz-deal-granovskaia/) with Marina Granovskaia and now the club must simply shake on an amount to pay Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea have been the favourites to sign Havertz for a while now and the saga is almost over.

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However, the Blues came close to missing out on pushing for the deal to be done. According to [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/transfer-centre) (via [The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-transfer-news-kai-havertz-22573565)), Roman Abramovich was initially unsure on paying such a large amount for the 21-year-old. If the transfer is completed, Havertz will cost an initial £70million, plus add-ons which could see the end amount rise to a whopping £90million.

This will set a new club record, surpassing the hefty £71.6million the Blues paid for [goalkeeping flop](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours/chelsea-frank-lampard-offload-kepa-transfer-rumours-doubts/) Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018.

The report states that Abramovich was originally reluctant to provide the cash, but the Russian has clearly had a change of heart. [He recently gave the green light](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours/roman-abramovich-gives-green-light-for-mega-150-million-chelsea-transfer-target-splurge/) for Frank Lampard to splash at least £50million on three different transfer targets, which will cost the club a bare minimum of £150million.

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Havertz was included in this trio, along with Declan Rice and Ben Chilwell who Chelsea are also eager to bring to West London.

A deal between Leverkusen and Chelsea is thought to be finalised soon and he will join fellow new attacking recruits Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner at Stamford Bridge.

***Will Kai Havertz be a good signing for Chelsea? Join the conversation in the comments below!***