Arsenal have made an opening proposal to Chelsea for forward Kai Havertz in a shock twist to their summer transfer window, it has been reported, with Mikel Arteta keen to get his transfer business done before the Gunners return for pre-season.
According to the reliable David Ornstein of the Athletic, the potential deal is still at ‘a relatively early stage’ but ‘has stepped up in recent days following contact with Chelsea and Havertz’ about a switch to north London.
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.
Now down to the final two years of his contract at Stamford Bridge, he is either due to sign a new deal or be sold this summer and the latter is looking far more likely amid interest from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
The Athletic claim that Arsenal ‘hold a strong interest in Havertz’ and could be tempted into a deal, though other reports suggest that the current £70m asking price for the German is considered far too high by the powers that be in north London.
Meanwhile, there is more good news for the Gunners as a deal for West Ham captain Declan Rice appears to be progressing, with an informal agreement of just over £100m thought to be in place. The same report adds that there has ‘been positive dialogue around the matter and a bid is expected to be lodged in due course’, which would make the English midfielder Arsenal’s record signing.
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