Arsenal are reportedly interested in striking a deal for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, whose market value is €60 million.
According to Alex Goldberg via The Byline podcast on Patreon, Arsenal are interested in signing Chelsea forward Kai Havertz. Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his attack unit this summer in preparation for another title challenge next term.
The well-known Chelsea YouTuber also revealed that, though the Gunners have yet to approach the Blues, they have touched base with the representatives of the German international. But Havertz has also been linked with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have identified the German international along with Tottenham striker Harry Kane as top transfer targets to compensate for the absence of star striker Karim Benzema, who has opted to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad upon the expiry of his contract at the Bernabeu, alongside a host of other forwards.
The German international joined Chelsea in 2020 on a €80 million deal but has had an underwhelming three-year spell at Stamford Bridge. The former Bayer Leverkusen man has scored 32 goals and assisted a further 15 in 139 appearances. He finished with just nine goals in close to 47 appearances this past season. Meanwhile, his market value has dropped to €60 million.
Havertz has two years left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge and is looking likely to leave Chelsea this summer, bringing an end to his Blues career in which the German never really showed his best form.
Likewise, Chelsea are willing to entertain offers for the 23-year-old this summer as new head coach Mauricio Pochettino targets a new forward to lead his attack next season. If Havertz does leave the Blues this summer, he will at least keep his place in Chelsea folklore after scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.
As such, Real Madrid are already in talks with Havertz’s management. And the player is very open about the prospect of moving to Santiago Bernabeu. However, Chelsea have placed a hefty €60 million price tag on their prized asset this summer.
Real Madrid are not willing to match the price as they also plan to land Kane in the summer window itself, which has led to the move stalling at the moment. This has left the door open for other suitors to enter the race, particularly Arsenal.
If there is a deal to be done, the Gunners should be all over this one. Chelsea have been misusing him as a false nine. At Bayer Leverkusen, Havertz excelled in a shadow striker role like Thomas Muller, linking with a striker, and making runs from deep off the ball. He’s also a rare mix of physical presence and technical quality.
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Arteta could well unleash his potential at Arsenal. Play him in his best position, and he will be a very good weapon. Considering the forward’s struggles since arriving at Stamford Bridge, the price tag comes as a slight surprise. Still only 23, it could be argued that Havertz still has plenty of time to realise his incredibly high ceiling. Whether that will be in Spain or England remains to be seen.