Chelsea ‘set £52m asking price for Kai Havertz as Real Madrid enter talks’

Chelsea have reportedly set a £52million asking price for Kai Havertz amid interest from Real Madrid in the forward.

The Spanish giants interest emerged earlier this month with the club seeking to reshape their attacking options.

Real are now set to step up their pursuit of Havertz, following confirmation that Karim Benzema will leave this summer.

Sport 1 report that talks have begun between Chelsea and Real over Havertz’s possible transfer.

The Blues are claimed to have set a price of €60m (£52m) for Havertz.

Real Madid are expected to step up their interest in Havertz following Karim Benzema’s exit

Havertz scored nine goals in all competitions as Chelsea endured a challenging season

The German outlet claim Havertz has been considering his Chelsea future for a long-time.

The Blues endured a turbulent season following a vast overhaul of the squad, with Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard having all sat in the dugout during the campaign.

Havertz is claimed to be keen on a possible move to Real Madrid, while Chelsea are believed to view the 23-year-old as a saleable asset as new boss Mauricio Pochettino seeks to trim their bloated squad.

Real were previously interested in signing Havertz when he was at Bayer Leverkusen.

Havertz instead completed a £76m move to Chelsea back in 2020, a then club record deal.

The Blues are facing a potentially sizeable loss should they agree to a sale.

The versatile attacker has scored 32 goals in 139 matches for Chelsea, including scoring the winner in the 2021 Champions League final.

Havertz has struggled during Chelsea’s difficult season, scoring just nine goals and providing one assist across 47 appearances in all competitions.

Chelsea are expected to reduce their squad size following Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment

Real are expected to bid for Harry Kane but expect Havertz to be a more straightforward deal

Real confirmed the departure of their legendary striker Benzema this week, with the Spanish giants set to test Tottenham’s resolve with a £100m bid for their star Harry Kane.

Havertz is seen as a far more straightforward acquisition.

Mail Sport reported earlier this week that Madrid are also considering a move for departing Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.  

The Brazilian is waiting to see how he would fit in Madrid’s plans before he agrees on a move – though rivals Barcelona are also interested.  

Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby and Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi are among other players linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real will require attacking reinforcements following Benzema’s departure, with Eden Hazard’s contract having been terminated and Marco Asensio expected to join PSG.