Arsenal have emerged as shock contenders to sign Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz this summer, with the Blues holding out for around £70m to part ways with their striker.
The German has endured a tricky time since he moved to England in 2020, often being played as a lone striker and struggling to find the back of the net or hold up the ball with any consistency. Across his three seasons in the Premier League, he has managed just 19 goals and 10 assists, and has yet to hit double figures in either category over the course of a single campaign.
That has not stopped him from having high-profile suitors, however, with Real Madrid earmarking him as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema this summer, though those talks stopped after Chelsea’s high asking price was revealed.
Latest to the bidding table are Arsenal. According to the Guardian and several other outlets, the Gunners are keen on signing the German, though the Telegraph add that Mikel Arteta’s side would only ‘be prepared to step up their interest in Havertz if his price tag dropped significantly’ from it’s current £70m mark.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are already planning for life without Havertz, who is out of contract in 2025. They have begun searching for a striker and are considering a move for Villareal’s Nicolas Jackson, who is thought to have a £30m release clause.
Their north london rivals are closing in on a £100m deal to sign Declan Rice from West Ham and are looking for further reinforcements in midfield this summer, with Moises Caicedo one of the names having been linked with a move to north London after three failed January bids.
Were the Gunners to opt for Havertz, it could be a decision that would leave the Blues with a free run at Caicedo this summer.
