Kai Havertz has attracted interest from Real Madrid ahead of the summer window (Shutterstock)
Chelsea have issued an ultimatum to Kai Havertz – either sign a new contract or be sold this summer.
The Germany international, who was signed in a £75.8 million (€85m) deal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, will enter the final year of his contract next summer and Chelsea’s hierarchy are keen to avoid losing players on a free transfer.
Havertz is Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with seven goals but Mauricio Pochettino is keen for the club to recruit a new striker for the next campaign.
The 23-year-old is among those in Chelsea’s squad who have already been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer as the club seek to balance their finances after a heavy transfer outlay over the past 12 months.
Real Madrid have already made an approach for Havertz as they seek a replacement for Karim Benzema, who has accepted a €100 million (£85.8m)-per-season deal to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
According to MailOnline, Chelsea will not stand in Havertz’s way if he wants to leave the club and will only allow the forward to stay if he signs a new long-term contract.
Kai Havertz was Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League with seven goals this season (Getty)
Meanwhile, reports in Germany claim that Chelsea have set a €60m (£52m) asking price for Havertz.
Madrid are also said to be considering a move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane – a move which has been endorsed by the club’s former captain Sergio Ramos.
‘My advice to any player is don’t turn down the opportunity to play for Real Madrid – it is a special club who know how to win,’ Ramos told The Mirror.
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‘He [Kane] has an incredible physical presence, you can’t score as many goals as he does in the Premier League and not be able to play the physical side of the game.
‘But also he can play the technical side of the game as well and I don’t think he gets enough credit for that.
‘Yes, he is a great goal scorer but also he is a great football player as well.’
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Havertz has a big decision to make.