体坛英语新闻：Commentary: Top European clubs battle it out over Havertz

BERLIN, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Neymar Jr. (Paris St Germain) might be football's currently most spectacular story. Rumors speak of a possible move from Paris to Barcelona worth up to 200 million euro. The Brazilian is the most expensive professional available as Lionel Messi (Barcelona), and Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) dropped anchor in a safe haven.

But behind football's most valuable jewels, several other outstanding performers keep top sides busy. Experts expect European football is in for a turbulent 2020 battles for the signature of the so called "second-row stars" seems guaranteed.

While fans and media are mostly talking about the usual suspects, 20-year-old German international Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) has joined the circle of the most wanted for 2020.

Leverkusen's managing director Rudi Voeller in a recent interview spoke about the significant interest of several top European clubs in the midfielder who is said to be one of Germany's most promising talents.

Rumors say Manchester United and FC Barcelona are getting ready to battle over the Youngster as well as Bayern Munich.

The 2019 German Champion failed in its attempt to buy Havertz this summer as Leverkusen insisted on keeping him for another year.

The 59-year-old 1990 World Champion Voeller revealed Bayern has made several phone-calls trying to place an offer this summer. On top, he spoke about other prominent sides having expressed their interest. But Leverkusen refused to let Havertz go.

Things could change in advance of the 2020/2021 season despite Havertz current contract running until 2022 containing no exit-clause. Leverkusen is getting ready to sell the midfielder next year and already signed successors such as Kerem Demirbay and Nadiem Amiri (TSG Hoffenheim).

The Havertz deal is said to be worth over 100 million plus the player's salary.

Havertz admitted he wants to stay for this season but intends to do the next step shortly. "That is no secret," he commented.

German media report Bayern might have a small advantage in the race but could get into trouble in case the Bavarians stick to their plan to buy Coutinho and Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

Brazilian midfielder Coutinho has joined Bayern on-loan from Barcelona for a year including a buying-option for 2020 worth 120 million.

Sane might currently be side-lined due to a severe knee injury for several months, and his intended move to Bayern Munich is postponed for the time being. Bayern was said to invest up to 120-million-euro transfer-fee to sign the German winger.

To buy Sane, Havertz and Coutinho at the same time seem to be a too heavy load for the 2013 treble winner as 350 to 400 million euros would be needed. It will be interesting to see what Bayern's next steps will be.

While Sane and Coutinho seem rather vague deals is Havertz said to be Bayern's primary target. It seems likely that Bayern is deciding to take two of the trio. Depending on Sane' recovery process, it could well be him, and Havertz Bayern is going for.

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung spoke about the assumedly most expensive summer in Bayern's history in 2020. The Munich based paper mentioned Bayern's preference for German internationals as the club has often spoken about the goal to change its squad to a "FC Bayern Germany."