After an outstanding second half of the year, the market value of Kai Havertz has literally exploded. At SOCCERSCORE and Goal, Leverkusen’s head of sports Simon Rolfes explains why Bayer will not give in to the advertising of the absolute top clubs.
It was a special return for Kai Havertz. The Aachen native was the celebrated star at the public training of the German national team on Wednesday in the new Tivoli.
Ten years ago, the then nine-year-old moved from his home club Alemannia Mariadorf to the great Alemannia, from where he joined Bayer Leverkusen just a year later.
Over the past decade, Havertz has evolved from a hopeful talent to a potential world star. After an outstanding season in which he played a key role in qualifying for the Champions League, including 17 goals, he is reported to have top clubs such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona on his list.
Havert is “definitely one of the most sought-after players in Europe”, Rudi Völler told the kicker.
According to the Munich tz, FC Bayern is even said to have rebuffed with a concrete offer of over 90 million euros. The Bayer bosses have categorically ruled out early release from Havertz’s contract, which runs until 2022.
It is well known that such words of power have often been of no use in professional football when the players being courted wanted to leave. But in Leverkusen they are absolutely sure that Havertz will continue to be with full vigour.
“As outstanding as his actions on the pitch are already, so normal, reasonable and grounded is Kais’ behaviour away from football,” says sports director Simon Rolfes in an interview with SOCCERSCORE and Goal: “He is a family man who does not run the risk of taking off. Kai grew up at Bayer 04. He knows what he has about us and feels a very high level of identification with the association.”
That’s exactly how Völler sees it. Nevertheless, the Leverkusen managing director knows that one can probably only count on the shooting star in the next season. Voeller’s predecessor Reiner Calmund has even already stated that he expects Havertz’s move to FC Bayern in 2020.
After all, the experts agree that the offensive midfielder has everything he needs to be a world-class player in the near future. “You definitely don’t have to be an expert to see that,” says Rolfes.
“That Kai has a great career ahead of him, if he remains injury-free, is certain in my eyes. Of course, he too can and must continue to develop. But what Kai already calls out on the pitch at the age of 19 is extraordinary.”
Völler sees in Havertz a mixture of Mesut Özil and Michael Ballack – both of whom were far from ready at the same age. “He is fast, persevering, strong on the header, robust, technically perfect, his understanding of the game is outstanding, and he also thinks defensively,” praised the former DFB team boss. “He’s clearly the German player for the next ten years.”
Bitter only for the Leverkuseners that they could not keep Havertz’ buddy Julian Brandt despite reaching the royal class. The 23-year-old, Havertz’s congenial midfield partner in the strong second half of the season, switched to Borussia Dortmund for around 25 million euros. Although the Werksklub had hopes of staying until the end, Simon Rolfes does not want to speak of disappointment.
“He has now been with us for five and a half years and joined Bayer 04 at the age of 17. It’s understandable that Julian would like to try something different,” said the sports director to SOCCERSCORE and Goal. “Julian is a great player, just in the past half year under Peter Bosz he has made another giant step. He hasn’t played at this level before. Especially since we reacted early with the commitment of Kerem Demirbay to a possible change of Julian.”
At least one more attacking midfielder and one outer defender will also be brought in. “Our team will stay together for the most part, we will strengthen it in certain positions. And then in Peter Bosz we have a coach whose very special quality is to make players better, to develop them, to promote them,” Rolfes believes.
Therefore, regardless of the double burden and the Brandt farewell, he also states that his goal for the new season is to participate in the Champions League: “Our aim is to be represented in the premier league every season, to be part of the international league in every case. Nothing is reduced, on the contrary, we work for it every day.”
At the moment, however, the Bayer professionals are on well-earned holidays – with the exception of the national players. So before Havertz can switch off, the international matches on Saturday in Belarus and three days later against Estonia are on the agenda. After all, he can look forward to a serenade from his home audience in Mainz as he celebrates his 20th birthday on Tuesday.
