Kai Havertz in action for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. (Getty Images)
According to Sport1 (h/t Daily Mail), Barcelona are ready to offer three of their players in exchange for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz.
The 20-year-old Havertz is one of the brightest young stars in Europe, having impressed for Leverkusen in the past four seasons. Havertz enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, scoring 17 goals and providing four assists from 34 league games, attracting several clubs in Europe.
He seems to have continued his exceptional form from last year and has 8 goals and 5 assists to his name from 23 league games so far. With the young German’s on-field displays improving with time, La Liga giants Barcelona are now looking to sign the highly-rated midfielder.
The Catalans are even ready to offer up to three players from their squad in order to tempt Leverkusen into selling their prized possession. The three players Barcelona are willing to offer in a swap deal involving Havertz are Emerson Leite, Carles Alena, and Marc Cucurella respectively.
The three of them are currently on loan with different clubs, having failed to break into a Barcelona squad that is already filled with enough talent. Both Emerson and Alena are on loan with fellow La Liga rivals Real Betis, with the latter just joining them in January.
Barcelona are clearly in need of an attacking midfielder after the departure of former star Andres Iniesta last season. Despite having as many as six midfielders, Barcelona have lacked creativity in the middle this term.
Though midfielder Frenkie de Jong has quickly adjusted to the new surroundings since moving from Ajax last summer, he lacks the X-factor which Iniesta used to possess in the midfield. Rakitic has fallen down the pecking order with age clearly affecting his performances.
Rakitic turned 32 last March and Barcelona could really do with some young faces to initiate play in the middle. With 40 goals and 30 assists from 140 appearances already under his belt for Leverkusen, there is no questioning Havertz’s talent and potential. What makes him even more special is the fact that he has reached such heights at such a young age.
Moreover, he is a versatile midfielder who can play in a variety of roles in the midfield and even across the right flank, making him a very valuable asset.
With Leite, Alena and Cucurella clearly not in Barcelona’s plans at the moment, a swap deal involving the talented Havertz looks like a wise move by the Catalan side. Hence, they should go ahead with this deal and land the young German as soon as possible.
It is clear that Barcelona currently lack a creative playmaker in their midst despite having enough midfielders. That said, who better than Havertz, who is one of the most sought-out midfielders in Europe. He is a top player and a move to a top club like Barcelona looks like a match made in heaven for both the parties.
