Kai Havertz only wants to leave Leverkusen if he’s a guaranteed starter at new club

Any club that wants to buy Kai Havertz this summer must guarantee him a spot in their starting XI. He isn’t willing to sit on the bench next season.

Kai Havertz may be a young player, but he’s already showing remarkable maturity in the transfer market. His insistence that any club who purchases him this summer give him a spot in their starting XI next season shows wisdom well beyond his years.

According to The Daily Express, Havertz is very concerned that he might end up as a substitute for any club that splashes big money on him this summer. The 21-year-old midfielder has the talent to develop into a world-class player at a big European club, but it’s easy to envision a scenario where a team like Real Madrid or Chelsea might want to slowly integrate him into their side next season.

Don’t expect Havertz’s demands to depress his transfer value. Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have all been strongly linked to him in recent weeks. Havertz would face serious competition for a starting spot at any of those clubs, but they will all be willing to give him a fair opportunity to secure a spot in their respective starting XIs.

The question Havertz must really answer is just how much risk he’s willing to accept. Expecting one of Europe’s top clubs to guarantee him a starting spot is unrealistic. The only way he can be absolutely assured of regular playing time is to either stay put at Leverkusen or move to a club that’s just a step or two below the cusp of the European elite, something else he reportedly doesn’t want to do as Havertz is said to be looking for Champions League football.

Neither of those things is likely to happen. It’s a foregone conclusion that Havertz will be one of the most expensive transfers of the summer. Young players with his skill on the ball are just too difficult to find. Someone is going to make Leverkusen a financial offer they cannot afford to refuse.

When that happens, Havertz will need to accept the reality that he needs to be on his own abilities. His demand should be to receive a fair opportunity to secure a starting spot. Nothing needs to be given to a player of his caliber.