Manchester United had no plans to meet Kai Havertz’s asking price as they opted against a move for the attacking midfielder in the summer transfer window.
German international Havertz signed a £ 71m transfer to Chelsea earlier this week, making it the second most expensive signing in the club’s history.
Havertz is the seventh summer addition for Frank Lampard’s team after Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Xavier Mbuyamba, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva.
MEN Sport understands that United had no interest in moving for Havertz as they still pursued a deal for priority goal Jadon Sancho, with the 21-year-old seen as a possible alternative to the Borussia Dortmund star rather than an additional purchase.
United concluded a £ 34.6m deal to sign Donny van de Beek earlier in the week and know a deal for Sancho would cost him around £ 108m. A combined fee of nearly £ 150m would therefore be required to attract Van de Beek and Sancho, a total they never surpassed in a single summer transfer window for permanent additions.
MEN Sport reported in June that Havertz wanted to sign for a Premier League team this summer, but would only consider switching to a team that played in the Champions League.
Of course it opened the door for a potential move to Old Trafford in the current window following United’s third place in the Premier League, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side remained focused on chasing Sancho instead.
Havertz made it clear right away that he wanted to play regularly next season and solidify a place on the German squad ahead of the tournament’s consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
It is also understood that the 21-year-old had a “huge desire” to compete in the Champions League following Lverkusen’s group stage exit from the competition last season.
Sancho remains the top goal for United this summer and while there is believed to be room in the budget for his record-breaking club rating, the club does not want to pay the full dues upfront as there are other areas of the squad that have to be strengthened.
United are open to signing a new center-back if the right candidate is available for an acceptable odds this summer and the club is tracking Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon.
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