Arsenal and Chelsea are on the brink of signing the necessary paperwork for the transfer of Kai Havertz from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates.
The Germany international has spent three years with the West London club and has won the UEFA Champions League with them. He scored the goal that earned them the trophy in the 2020/21 season, which was his debut season with the club. However, he has struggled to hit the strides he hit while playing with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga, even though he has shown flashes of brilliance.
Still, he remains one of Chelsea’s brightest spots in attack. He ended the 2022/23 season as the most efficient attacker in the team, dominating all stats from goals, to assists, to chances created, to fouls won and aerial battles won. He now looks set to take those talents to the North side of London to serve Mikel Arteta’s purpose.
This will also see him remain in Europe’s elite competition as Chelsea’s struggles last season saw them miss out on European football altogether. It will be a big boost for the Gunners, who are returning to the UEFA Champions League after six years away. With only a few players within their squad possessing Champions League experience, the addition of Havertz is a step in the right direction as regards that tournament.
His signing has not been met with optimism from among Arsenal fans but the club and Chelsea are close to an agreement. Verbal terms have been agreed with Havertz and what is left is to finalise the details of the £65 million fee that Arsenal is expected to pay Chelsea for the 24-year-old.
The transfer fee brings in some much-needed funds for Chelsea, who spent north of £600 million on transfer fees, agent fees and other fees to strengthen their squad last season.
Havertz is one of many who will now leave the club after the failed overhaul. N’Golo Kante has already signed for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League and reports indicate that the Blues’ Senegalese contingent of Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy will be joining Al-Hilal while Hakim Ziyech will be joining up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
Moises Caicedo is only a few signatures and agreements away from replacing these exits at Chelsea after almost joining Arsenal in the January transfer window. The Gunners, on the other hand, are looking to add Declan Rice to their ranks. The West Ham United midfielder is set to cost them £90 million exclusive of add-ons, which could see the total fee hit £100 million.
It remains to be seen if West Ham will take their bid, as they have already rejected two other bids from Arsenal for Rice.
