Kai Havertz ‘chooses’ Real Madrid in huge transfer blow to Chelsea with Leverkusen ace wanting to play with idol Kroos

REAL MADRID have taken the lead in the race to sign Kai Havertz, according to reports in Germany.

A switch to the Spanish capital is described as the Bayer Leverkusen star's preference, as it will give him a chance to play alongside his idol Toni Kroos.

There are many similarities between the two midfielders' careers with Kroos, 30, having spent time on loan at Leverkusen while making his way at Bayern Munich.

And Havertz wants to follow in his compatriot's footsteps and sign for Real, report .

The German outlet claims that Los Blancos have already lodged a bid for the 21-year-old, which has been rejected by Leverkusen for being well under their valuation.

A price of £90million has been set by the Bundesliga outfit, who still have Havertz tied to a contract that runs to 2022.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona are all thought to be tracking the playmaker's situation.

A run of five goals in as many games since German football's restart has emphasised his talents, with seven international caps already to his name.

Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has accepted that Havertz sees his future elsewhere - but insists he will only leave if it suits the club.

Carro told Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger: "With Kai Havertz, I see that many clubs are interested in him.

"Kai has been with us for ten years. I see the player's desire to take the next step some time in the near future.

"You have to try to find a solution where the player's goal can be reconciled with ours.

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"No one can say for sure what is going to happen at the moment."

However one club who appear to be out of the running are Bayern Munich.

A report by Bild on Wednesday outlined the Bundesliga champions' desire to bring in Leroy Sane from Manchester City this summer, putting back any bid for Havertz to 2021 - by which time he may have already moved.