Rangers have been given a boost ahead of their return to competitive action with the news that Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz is set to seal a move from the Bundesliga side to join Chelsea, according to The Athletic (via The Daily Mail).
The Blues are said to have agreed a fee in the region of £73million for the German in a move which would significantly weaken Rangers opponents in the last 16 of the 2019/20 Europa League, however, they are still faced with the unenviable task of trying to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg at Ibrox all the way back in March.
Havertz was instrumental in Glasgow – including scoring a penalty – and caused the Gers rearguard problems all evening but it now looks as though Steven Gerrard can adjust his plans for the behind closed doors fixture if, as expected, the move to London goes ahead before August 6 when the second leg is due to take place.
With the Light Blues gaffer looking to add reinforcements of his own at both ends of the pitch, there could be cause for optimism amongst the Gers support ahead of the game in Germany, however, they would need to improve even further from their recent Veolia Trophy success if they were to secure the three goal victory that is needed to see them progress to the quarter finals.
There was a visible difference in quality that hadn’t been seen in previous European ties last season and Leverkusen have certainly presented Gerrard’s toughest opposition to date in his two year spell as boss, with a little bit of luck anything is possible and Havertz’s departure, added to an early away goal, could yet spark a comeback to beat the one that saw Braga despatched in the previous round.