Kai Havertz Set to Join Arsenal in £65m Deal
Arsenal have agreed a deal with Chelsea worth around £65m for Germany international forward Kai Havertz. The 24-year-old is set to move across London as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his Arsenal team following qualification for the Champions League.
Havertz Joins Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen
Kai Havertz joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for a deal worth about £71m. He scored nine goals in 47 games for the Blues last season and also scored the winning goal for Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City. It is understood the clubs have made an agreement in principle that will allow the player to discuss personal terms and have a medical. The fee for Havertz could rise with add-ons.
Chelsea Looking to Reduce Squad Size
Chelsea, meanwhile, are seeking to reduce their squad size and have also agreed a £30m deal with Manchester City for Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 29. Another midfielder, France international N’Golo Kante, 32, has agreed to sign for Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad when his contract expires at the end of June. The new ownership at Chelsea want to avoid letting players enter the final two years of their deals and Havertz, whose contract runs out in 2025, has not agreed an extension at the club.
Arsenal Also Chasing West Ham Captain Declan Rice
Arsenal are also chasing England midfielder Declan Rice, the West Ham captain, but a second bid for the 24-year-old – worth up to £90m – was rejected on Tuesday. Rice is seen as a long-term replacement for Granit Xhaka, who has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Conclusion
Kai Havertz is set to join Arsenal from Chelsea in a deal worth around £65m. The 24-year-old German forward scored nine goals in 47 games for the Blues last season and also scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City. Chelsea are looking to reduce their squad size and have already agreed a £30m deal with Manchester City for Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic and France international N’Golo Kante has agreed to sign for Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad when his contract expires at the end of June. Arsenal are also chasing West Ham captain Declan Rice but a second bid for the 24-year-old – worth up to £90m – was rejected on Tuesday.