Bayer Leverkusen director Rudi Voller says the Covid-19 pandemic made it easier for Chelsea to sign Kai Havertz.
The Blues purchased the 21-year-old from the Bundesliga side in a deal worth £70 million (€75m/$90m) including add-ons.
Havertz, who had been with Leverkusen since the age of 11, made 150 first-team appearances in all competitions and had been linked with several top European teams before making the move to Stamford Bridge this month.
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Leverkusen had not wanted to lose their star player and Voller says they would have held out for more had it not been for the financial hit they have taken as a result of the pandemic.