Good evening, Chelsea fans. Here are your evening headlines for Sunday, August 9.
Bayer refusing to lower Havertz price
Bayer Leverkusen are still demanding €100 million for their prized asset Kai Havertz, according to former Norwegian footballer turned broadcaster Jan Aage Fjortoft.
Havertz, 21, is coming off the back of a fantastic 2019/20 season in the Bundesliga during which he scored 12 goals and registered six assists in 30 league games.
That form has attracted interest from Chelsea, and the Blues have been locked in negotiations for the German international for several weeks.
Fjortoft has tweeted that Chelsea have so far offered €60million for Havertz, which falls well below the German side's valuation of the versatile midfielder.
Even if the two clubs were to agree a fee for Havertz, he would not move to Stamford Bridge until Bayer's Europa League campaign is completed.
Willian releases goodbye statement to Chelsea fans
Willian has confirmed his departure from Chelsea in an official statement.
The 32-year-old joined the Blues in 2013 and won two Premier League titles and a Europa League crown during his time at the club.
He has now confirmed in an open letter on social media that his time at Stamford Bridge has come to an end after failing to agree a new contract.
The Blues offered the former Shakhtar Donetsk man fresh terms, but football.london understands the length of contract from Arsenal is set to persuade the winger to move across the capital.
Posting on Twitter, the winger wrote: “In August 2013, when I received the offer from Chelsea, I was convinced that this was where I had to play.
"Today I am certain that it was the best of decisions. There were so many happy times, some sad, there were trophies, and it was always very intense.
“Yet, beyond the trophies, I learned a lot about myself. I developed a great deal, becoming a better player and a better person. With each training session, with each game, with every minute spent in the dressing room, I was always learning.
“I am really grateful to the Chelsea fans for the affectionate way they welcomed me at Stamford Bridge and their support throughout my time at the club. There was also criticism, which is normal, what is important though is that both the affection and criticism drove me to always give my all in every training session, every game, to be constantly improving until my very last minute in a Chelsea shirt!
You can read the full statement here.
Ferdinand and Onana tip Blues signing to star
Hakim Ziyech has been tipped for success in England by former team-mate Andre Onana and BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand.
Ziyech, 27, agreed a deal to join Chelsea from Ajax earlier in the year after four successful years at the Dutch giants.
He will cost the Blues an initial €40million, with add-ons taking the deal to €44million, and Ferdinand is backing him to have a big impact at Stamford Bridge.
“We watched Ziyech last season for Ajax, he was magnificent,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “He reminds me a little bit of [Riyad] Mahrez but he crosses the ball a little bit more.
“He’s someone who’s really always trying to find a way to unlock defences with his delivery. A lot of guile.”
Meanwhile, ex-Ajax teammate Andre Onana, also a Chelsea target, has backed Ziyech to be a success in English football.
Speaking to Dutch outlet NOS earlier this year, he explained: “When he leaves [Ajax], we will lose the most brilliant player on the team. It will not be easy. He was already here when I got here. I can understand why [he is leaving]. I understand his choice.
“I am happy for him and proud of what he has done for this club. I wish him the best of luck. He’s going to destroy everything [in the Premier League].”
