Arsenal are intensifying their interest in Kai Havertz and look like the only destination for the German if he is to leave Chelsea.
The West London side are ready to sell to their London rivals but want a huge fee in order to do so.
Despite scoring Champions League and Club World Cup-winning goals, Havertz has never realised his full potential at the club since arriving as a £72m signing in 2020.
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But Arsenal believe they can get more out of the Germany International and have already opened talks over a deal.
Chelsea are reported to want £70m of their investment back if they are to allow Havertz leave. The Daily Mail however claim Arsenal are willing to pay a maximum of £60m which could be inclusive of add-ons.
The German star has only just turned 24 years old but Chelsea’s need to sell players before June 30 puts Arsenal in a good position.
The Blues must now trim Mauricio Pochettino’s squad by the end of the month if sales are to be included in their financial accounts for the 2022-23 season.
And that could force Chelsea to come down to Arsenal’s price for the player, who has been used as a centre-forward as well as an attacking midfielder at Stamford Bridge.
But even if Arsenal get their way with the transfer fee, they could still end up paying a huge amount to land Havertz.
That’s because the Evening Standard claim Arsenal would be willing to match his Chelsea wages which is £250,000 pe4 week.
Only Gabriel Jesus, who joined last summer from Manchester City, earns more than that at Arsenal currently though Declan Rice can also expect a huge salary if he joins soon.
Arsenal would likely give Havertz a five-year deal, And such a commitment would see Arsenal pay out £65m in wages if he sees out the entire length of his deal without signing another agreement.
In total, that would see Arsenal spend £125m on the attacker. But it is easy to forget that Havertz was touted as one of the best young players in Europe when he was still qt Bayer Leverkusen and he has shown flashes of brilliance at Chelsea.
