Arsenal are set to complete their swoop for Kai Havertz after agreeing a fee that will guarantee Chelsea a minimum £65million.
Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday that the Gunners had made a verbal offer to Chelsea for their Germany international worth up to £60million.
And the deal has accelerated in 24 hours with the clubs agreeing a package for Havertz that will see Chelsea recoup a guaranteed £65million.
That deal includes additional add-ons that will inflate the final fee to between £67.5m and £70m.
Havertz has agreed a long-term contract with Arsenal, with Mail Sport reporting on Tuesday that Havertz has been offered a long-term contract which will see him earn a minimum £210,000 per week.
Arsenal have agreed a move for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz which is worth a minimum £65m
Mikel Arteta has been keen to add the German international to his squad during the summer
The player’s representatives have been in close contact with Arsenal representatives over the previous 48 hours knowing that an agreement was close.
Havertz will undergo a medical in the coming days before signing his contract with the north London club.
Having seen their original offer £50million turned down last week, Arsenal had continued talks with Chelsea over agreeing a fee for the Germany international.
Havertz joined Chelsea in 2020 and has been regular starter under the last five managerial periods at the beleaguered west London club.
But despite the Blues willingly looking to extend the player’s current contract – which is due to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2025 – Havertz is believed to be focused on securing a transfer.
As per ESPN, Arsenal have hinted that as well as operating as a No 10 or a No 8 in Arteta’s starting XI, the club plans to use Havertz interchangeably in any of the three attacking positions at the top of a 4-3-3 system.
The Spanish manager is so convinced of the value of Havertz’s potential versatility, that Arteta is believed to have played a large role in ongoing negotiations for the player.
Havertz has played a number of forward roles for Chelsea during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, but this season has been largely deployed as an out-and-out No 9 due to a striker crisis.
Personal terms have already been agreed with the north London club and the player (pictured)
Romelu Lukaku was loaned back to Inter Milan after a disastrous return during the 2021-22 campaign, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to recapture his once-fine goalscoring form, academy prospect Armando Broja suffered a horror injury, and David Datro Fofana – purchased in January – was seldom used.
Chelsea want to raise funds as they look to press ahead with their own recruitment plans. Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is at the top of their list of summer transfer targets.
But Caicedo will cost at least £100m and Chelsea need to sell before being comfortable committing that level of money.
The Blues, meanwhile, are keen to appease Financial Fair Play rules and have been looking to sell a number of their first-team squad during the summer.
Eduoard Mendy, Mateo Kovacic and Romelu Lukaku have been linked with moves away, while N’Golo Kante completed a switch to Al-Ittihad on Wednesday.
Arsenal believe that Havertz’s versatility on the pitch makes him a must-win target for the club, according to reports.
The 23-year-old has supplanted Declan Rice at the Gunners’ primary focus, although Arsenal are confident that both of their top targets will make the move.
Their interest in Rice comes amid the potential departure of midfielder Thomas Partey, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Arteta.
Arteta is believed to value the 23-year-old’s versatility and has been involved in talks
Man United-fancied Mason Mount is another player that Chelsea has given a punchy valuation
With Arteta looking to rebuild his Arsenal side ahead of their return to the Champions League, the club will consider letting players leave.
Southampton’s Lavia is another possible option in the centre of the park, but Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are also scouting the Belgian player.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been told they will have to increase their £30million opening offer for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. The 22-year old Holland international is valued at around £50million but is keen on a move to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta wants a versatile defender who is good on the ball and can start out at right back then fill in in midfield just as Oleksandr Zinchenko does on the opposite flank.
There is confidence that a deal can be reached between the two clubs for Timber.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12218291/Arsenal-close-agreeing-65m-deal-Chelsea-star-Kai-Havertz.html
