Chelsea are said to have made their first move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz by submitting an opening offer after weeks of talks with the German club.
Frank Lampard is aiming to make the 21-year-old his third signing of the summer transfer window after the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.
Havertz himself is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, and football.london understands that Chelsea are edging closer to getting a deal over the line.
The main barrier in completing the transfer is the price that the Bundesliga side are asking for the player, with Leverkusen asking for a fee of around £90 million.
After talks between the two clubs and the player, transfer expert Ian McGarry has said that Chelsea have submitted an opening offer of £45 million plus £9 million in add-ons for Havertz.
However, that is still £27 million below the asking price for the midfielder.
"Chelsea's pursuit of German international Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen has progressed a little bit," McGarry said on the Transfer window podcast.
"It is our understanding that Chelsea met with Bayer Leverkusen officials this week. Petr Cech had visited Leverkusen to speak to officials there and the player about a possible move to Stamford Bridge.
"That has resulted in an opening bid of 50m euros plus 10m euros in add-ons.
"Leverkusen continue to value the player at 90m euros. That is something Chelsea feel is not a fair price for the 21-year-old.
"However, they are obviously keen to get the player and are willing to pay."
Havertz caught the eye in the Bundesliga during the 2019/20 season, scoring 12 goals and providing a further six assists.
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