STUTTGART, Germany (AP) – German striker Kai Havertz left the national team’s education camp on Friday to complete his move from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea.
Leverkusen sports director Rudi Voeller said Havertz travels to London “so Kai can now fix things on the London court with our support.”
German coach Joachim Lew expected Havertz to make a signal for Chelsea soon.
“We knew that now, or tomorrow, the main points had to be resolved in his contract with Chelsea,” Lew said in a video on the German football federation website, adding that Havertz “really needs to take this step.”
Havertz, an unused replacement when Germany tied 1-1 with Spain on Thursday in the League of Nations, said he was aware of risking the play if Havertz played and was injured.
Havertz’s signing would likely complete a reform of Chelsea that also saw striker Timo Werner, winger Hakim Ziyech, central defender Thiago Silva and left-back Ben Chilwell signing for English club.
“We are aware of the importance this has for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Kai and we need to do so in a responsible manner,” said German national team general manager Oliver Bierhoff.”It is at the same time an honor and a difference for German football when the young German players are on duty in foreign clubs.
Havertz last played for Leverkusen in the Europa League quarter-finals on 10 August, where he scored a 2–1 loss to Inter Milan.Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz said he did not expect Havertz to be available for the new season.