Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has confirmed that Chelsea have triggered some bonus clauses in Kai Havertz’s transfer agreement after winning the Champions League.
The 21-year-old arrived at Chelsea last summer for an €80million (around £72m at the time) transfer fee which is the record for a German player.
It was actually the same amount of money that Chelsea had to pay to Athletic Bilbao for Kepa Arrizabalaga’s release clause in 2018 (also €80m).
But Havertz may have now officially become the club’s most expensive signing after Leverkusen chief Rolfes’ statement.
“The fact that there are various bonuses is no secret. Kai’s success is also positive for us,” Rolfes told German outlet Kicker on Sunday.
The former Germany international did not specify the amount of money that Chelsea would have to pay.
However, Kicker estimated that the bonuses in the deal could reach up to €20m (£17.2m) in total.
It includes €10m (£8.6m) of “probable” bonuses (linked to Havertz’s number of appearances, for example) and another €10m of “improbable” bonuses.
Finishing in the top four in the Premier League and winning the Champions League fall under the latter category, and the report claims Chelsea now have to pay more than €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses after achieving both.
Speaking about Havertz’s big role in winning the final for Chelsea, Rolfes added that he was not surprised.
“He was the player who dominated the game against Real [Madrid] in the semi-final and was only unlucky to have just one goal [in the Champions League],” said the Leverkusen icon.
Chronicle view
Given Havertz scored the winning goal in the Champions League final, the reported bonuses is arguably a small price to pay.
Not to mention that Chelsea have earned around just under €69m (£59.3m) in Champions League prize money alone after winning the competition (as per Goal‘s calculation).