Bayern Munich are concentrating their efforts on signing Leroy Sane this summer window, clearing the path for Chelsea to move for Kai Havertz.
The 21 year old has attracted the attention of many big sides in Europe, with Real Madrid also showing an interest in him.
German publication SportBild claim that the race has lost a runner, though, with Bayern Munich not willing to meet Leverkusen’s £70m asking price.
Instead they will go all out to sign Sane from Manchester City, which they nearly managed to do last summer, before a knee injury ruled the player out for most of the campaign.
Sane is fit again, but has not signed a new contract at City and an exit looks likely this summer with his current deal expiring in 2021, and the Bayern are willing to spend around £50m on him.
Chelsea still have competition for the youngster, but without the presence of Bayern in the race for Havertz, their hopes of signing him have been significantly improved.
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Leverkusen seem resigned to losing the player, as when asked about Havertz’s future, Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said: ‘Many clubs are interested in him.
‘I see the player’s wish to take the next step sometime in the near future. You have to respect that as much as the fact that he has a contract in until 2022.’
Manchester United have also been linked with a transfer move for Havertz, although he remains behind Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish on their list.
Chelsea have already made two significant moves in the market, securing deals to bring in Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner this summer.
