Manchester United target Havertz happy to leave Germany

Manchester United target Kai Havertz has said he is open to a move abroad after being linked with a move to Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old forward has been mooted as a transfer target for countries across Europe after emerging as one of German football’s brightest young hopes.

Playing between midfield and attack for Bayer Leverkusen, he has scored 17 goals in 34 appearances for his side, and is rated at £80 million, a transfer fee which would rule most clubs out of the running, but it is a figure well within United’s grasp.

United are happy to support Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer market despite their dreadful start to the season, and are so far content to back the Norwegian with more players expected to arrive in January and the following summer.

‘There’s something clear: if you want to be a star in Germany, you can’t go wrong with Bayern,’ he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

’I think I’ve picked up enough international experience at Leverkusen. I know the rhythm of these international matches and I’m confident that I can go abroad at any moment and play at clubs outside of Germany.

’For the moment, I want to have a good season. Afterwards, we’ll see.’

United have been linked with other players for January, with Declan Rice and Mario Mandzukic both potential winter recruitments.

There are also a list of targets for the summer, including Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli, who may arrive in part funded by the sale of Chris Smalling to Roma, Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund, and there will need to be midfield reinforcements following the departure of Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini already, and the expected departure of both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.