Manchester United could hijack Chelsea's Kai Havertz transfer if Sancho chase is frustrated
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| If they continue to be frustrated they could turn instead to Havertz |
Manchester United could reportedly hijack Chelsea's transfer bid to sign Kai Havertz if they cannot get a deal done for Jadon Sancho.
Havertz is widely expected to join Frank Lampard's side this summer, although the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder had previously been linked with interest from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.
United have made Sancho their top target for this transfer window although Borussia Dortmund have so far played hardball over their £100million-rated star man.
The Bundesliga club said on Monday that Sancho would be staying in Germany with the Red Devils having so far failed to meet their asking price.
And while United have not given up hope of signing Sancho, if they continue to be frustrated they could turn instead to Havertz, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Leverkusen value the 21-year-old at around £90m, after he scored 18 goals and posted nine assists in all competitions during the season just ended.
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| Bundesliga club said on Monday that Sancho would be staying in Germany with the Red Devils having so far failed to meet their asking price |
Chelsea are believed to be confident of landing the attacking midfielder for less than that, as they look to add to the £89m combined signings of winger Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and striker Timo Werner from RB Leipzig.
Earlier this month, Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller said Havertz would not be going anywhere until after the conclusion of the club's Europa League campaign.
But with Inter Milan having eliminated Leverkusen in Monday's quarter-final in which Havertz scored for the Bundesliga side presumably the bidding can begin.
So, United face a tricky decision over how to use the £80m they are prepared to splash on Sancho.
Do they end their pursuit of the England winger and spend it on Havertz instead? Or do they allow Chelsea a free run and risk missing out on both players?
Either way, it looks like Havertz may have played his last game for Leverkusen and at least his manager Peter Bosz saw the funny side.
Asked following Monday's 2-1 defeat to Inter was Havertz’s final game for Leverkusen, Bosz replied: Yes, I can announce that he will play for Heracles Almelo.
Bosz, the former Ajax and Dortmund manager, was referring to the Dutch side Heracles he has managed on two separate occasions.
And Heracles jokes they landed Havertz on Tuesday morning by jokingly announcing his capture on Twitter, with a mocked-up picture of the German.