Arsenal have agreed on a deal in principle for Kai Havertz and will pay £65 million, including add-ons, for the German international.
David Ornstein has confirmed that Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle to sign Kai Havertz. The North London side will pay £65 million, including add-ons for the 24-year-old Chelsea attacker, after accelerating the deal in the last 24 hours.
Arsenal are accelerating their plans to wrap up most of their transfer business before pre-season. They have taken a huge leap in that process by agreeing on a deal in principle for key target Kai Havertz. The 24-year-old attacker had been Mikel Arteta’s priority target for this window, and a deal seems imminent now.
After registering an interest and opening talks with Chelsea last week, the Gunners may have seen a bid or two rejected. The West London club held out for £70 million in hopes of recouping a chunk of the potential £90 million paid to Bayer Leverkusen three years ago.
That fee included add-ons over the principal amount, with the feeling that Bayer Leverkusen achieved most owing to Chelsea’s success during the tenure. However, Arsenal were unwilling to pay £70 million and have now agreed on a fee worth £65 million, including add-ons.
Kai Havertz, first Arsenal signing as deal will be completed in the next hours — here we go ✅⚪️🔴 #AFC
◉ £60m guaranteed fee;
◉ £5m add-ons;
◉ Long term deal agreed;
◉ Medical tests to be scheduled.
Havertz will sign the contract this week, documents are being prepared. pic.twitter.com/ZatVvO7dRF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023
The deal accelerated into the advanced territory this morning after the clubs vaguely agreed on a £65 million fee, including add-ons. Fabrizio Romano has insisted Arsenal will pay £60 million in fixed fees with the remaining £5 million in add-ons.
Overall, the £60 million mark may seem accurate in this deal. Havertz’s fluidity will help Arteta’s system, and his versatility allows the manager to use him in different positions. Arsenal have already agreed on personal terms with Havertz, and now, they could schedule a medical for the 24-year-old German international.
As things stand, the deal looks like a go-ahead, and the Gunners will hope to officially confirm the move once the formalities are concluded. Arsenal’s next objective would point towards closing a deal for Declan Rice. On Tuesday, the Gunners saw their second bid worth £90 million bid rejected by West Ham. But they are inching closer to signing the England international midfielder.
The North Londoners are also keen on Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, and there were heavy links to Southampton star Romeo Lavia. The Gunners are also expected to conduct sales of their existing players to offset what seems like a summer of heavy spending.
