Chelsea look to Ikone as alternative for Havertz

Lille French forward Jonathan Ikone. Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Chelsea will reportedly turn focus to signing Jonathan Ikone from Lille should they fail to reach an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Kai Havertz.


The Blues remain locked in talks with Leverkusen over a deal for Havertz, who is supposedly keen on pushing through a move to Stamford Bridge.

However, the longer discussions drag on the more likely Chelsea are to look elsewhere and, according to Le 10 Sport, Ikone is being considered as an alternative option.

Four-cap France international Ikone, previously touted as a target for Borussia Dortmund, registered three goals and six assists in Ligue 1 from attacking midfield last term.

Lille supposedly value the 22-year-old at around the £32m mark - a substantial saving on the £90m Leverkusen are after for fellow versatile attacker Havertz.

Ikone has spent the past two seasons at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy following spells with Montpellier and Paris Saint-Germain, where he started his career.