Chelsea have attempted to sign Kai Havertz for €65 million (£58m/$76m) with another €15m (£13m/$18m) included in add-ons – but the offer remains €20m (£18m/$24m) below Bayer Leverkusen’s €100m (£87m/$118m) asking price.
The Blues had waited until the completion of Leverkusen’s Europa League campaign before advancing talks for the 21-year-old who remains their priority transfer target, alongside Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell.
According to Goal, the Germany international has already spoken of his intent to leave his boyhood club this summer and he has verbally agreed on the personal terms that the west Londoners are offering.
It now looks almost certain that he will become the most expensive German football transfer of all time, after Timo Werner’s £47.5m ($62m) move to Chelsea two months ago.
He would also likely be the Blues’ all-time record signing ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who cost £71m ($93m) to bring in from Athletic Club.
Still, the Blues need to agree on a fee to complete the talks and Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Voller has taken a strong public stance.