Arsenal are interested in signing Chelsea forward Kai Havertz this summer should the Blues lower their asking price. Real Madrid have made an approach for the Germany international following Karim Benzema’s move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad but according to the Daily Telegraph, Arsenal are also carefully monitoring the situation. Chelsea will not stand in Havertz’s way if he wishes to leave but are determined to recoup a figure close to the one they paid Bayer Leverkusen three years ago. Chelsea’s £70million price tag has so far scared off potential bidders but the club feel that valuation is a fair one. The report adds that Real Madrid and Arsenal are unlikely to be willing to pay more than £50million for the forward, leaving Chelsea with a major dilemma this summer. Havertz’s current contract at the club expires in 2024 and has so far shown no indication he wants to extend.
Arsenal did business with Chelsea as recently as January this year, signing Jorginho in a deal worth £12million. The Gunners’ immediate priority is Declan Rice with the club ready to make an opening bid of £90million for the West Ham United captain. Arsenal have also reignited their interest Brighton star Moises Caicedo after failing with two bids for the Ecuadorian in January. Chelsea are desperate to avoid a repeat of the situation that has emerged over Mason Mount, with the midfielder now set to leave Stamford Bridge having refused to extend his current deal beyond 2023. Interested parties are also aware of Chelsea’s desire to cash in on a number of their players during the upcoming window. It leaves the club with a decision to make, to lower their asking price or run the risk Havertz running down his contract. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to make big additions to his squad this summer and is looking at a number of potential targets.