Arsenal has reportedly initiated contact with their London rivals Chelsea regarding the potential signing of forward Kai Havertz. The Gunners are keen to bolster their squad ahead of the upcoming season, as manager Mikel Arteta aims to assemble a competitive team capable of challenging in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Havertz is seen as a player who could contribute to this goal, although his price tag may present a hurdle.
According to reports, Real Madrid has also shown interest in acquiring the services of the talented forward. Meanwhile, Chelsea is reportedly open to selling Havertz as part of their plan to offload up to ten players during the summer transfer window. The Blues are said to be willing to consider offers in the range of £70 million for the 24-year-old, who is contracted with the club until June 2025.
Mason Mount, another player from Chelsea, is also rumored to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge, with a similar price tag attached. This is despite both players playing pivotal roles in Chelsea's triumphant Champions League campaign in 2021.
Arsenal is reportedly keen on submitting a lower offer for Havertz, as they prioritize their pursuit of Declan Rice. The Gunners have expressed their reluctance to meet Chelsea's £75 million valuation for the German forward. However, negotiations are ongoing, and Havertz has reportedly shown interest in a potential move to Arsenal.
Havertz joined Chelsea in 2020 from Bayer Leverkusen in a £75 million deal. While he has been deployed as a striker for the Blues, his goal tally in the Premier League has been modest, with 19 goals in 91 appearances. Nevertheless, he has showcased his finishing ability on significant occasions, such as scoring the decisive goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City, which secured the trophy for Chelsea. The German international is also entrusted with a similar role for his national team, and there is hope that he can develop into a prolific goalscorer.
If the transfer materializes, Arsenal fans will be hopeful that Havertz can replicate the goalscoring prowess of legendary figures like Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. Furthermore, his arrival would provide healthy competition to Gabriel Jesus, who had an injury-plagued debut season at the club.
Overall, the potential signing of Kai Havertz represents an ambitious move by Arsenal as they aim to strengthen their squad and compete at the highest level in domestic and European competitions.
Arsenal are in talks to sign Kai Havertz after positive contacts on player side — he’s keen on the move. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Chelsea want around £75m for Havertz now, Arsenal will not pay that amount.
⛔️ Real Madrid talks currently off.
⏳ Arsenal priority: bid for Declan Rice soon. pic.twitter.com/M6xrKfwMtJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2023
Chelsea signed Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 in a deal worth £75m. Havertz has often been deployed as a striker in his time with Chelsea, with the role yet to yield the goal tally expected of a top-class centre forward. His first 91 Premier League games have seen just 19 goals.
Havertz has shown his finishing ability, with his finish in the Champions League final of 2021 winning the trophy for Chelsea against Man City. He has also been entrusted with the role for his country, Germany, with the hope being that he can flourish into becoming a prolific goalscorer.
Should he join, Arsenal fans will be hopeful of him matching the goalscoring feats of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie while providing a challenger to Gabriel Jesus, who had an injury-hot first season at the club.