Speculation is mounting that Arsenal could make a move for Chelsea striker Kai Havertz this summer.
The Telegraph’s Matt Law referenced the Gunners’ interest last week and the whispers have been growing louder in recent days.
The Germany international, 24, is thought to be open to a move and has already attracted interest from Real Madrid.
While the Blues are targeting a sale worth upwards of €60 million, it’s likely a deal will be done at a lower price given the player has shown no interest in extending his stay at Stamford Bridge beyond his current contract which ends in 2025.
What’s more, suitors are acutely aware of Chelsea’s financial situation. After two transfer windows of unprecedented spending resulted in a failure to qualify for Europe they have no choice but to sell players to comply with FFP regulations. Haha!
Havertz joined the Blues from Bayer Leverkusen three years ago in a deal worth approximately £72 million. While he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Manchester City at the end of his debut season, he’s not always found it easy going in West London.
To date, the German has made 139 appearances for Chelsea, making 15 assists and scoring 32 goals. Most of his game time has come in attack as a number 9, although he has played as a number 10 and off the right flank.
Versatility always seems to appeal to Mikel Arteta who could view Havertz as competition for Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
Petr Cech, David Luiz, Willian and Jorginho have all crossed the divide in the last eight year, but unlike those deals, this would be for a player entering his prime years.
Havertz to Arsenal…we think it’s one to watch.
Continuing a recent trend of targeting players with Premier League experience, Arsenal are also in a strong position to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United. The Guardian reports a deal could top £100 million with add-ons; a club-record fee.
Personally, I don’t like this link at all
After my red-faced Ramsdale climb down, I’m just going to accept that Mikel and Edu are smart as hell and know exactly what they are doing.
Under Wenger I’d be pulling my hair out at Castagne and Havertz links. But I just think A&E have done enough to earn our trust.
Pretty much everyone has eaten some humble pie with the Ramsdale transfer What I don’t like about this mooted deal (very important to remember these are links and could be click-bait bluster from other websites, not fact) is that it won’t be cheap, for a player that has kind of flopped, bar a CL final goal. And a player who I’m not sure what his best role is. He is not a striker as he has been used this season. He’s probably a 10, but we have Odegaard and Vieira as understudy. He’s a poor finisher, and I don’t like… Read more »
Yeah. Price is a huge factor. We just cannot go anywhere near £70m. But for a premier league experienced and versatile footballer, I could get on board if we don’t go over £40m. Havertz, a little like Xhaka and (dare I say it) McTominay, strikes me as a real coaches player. And by that I mean, whoever is in charge, they play Havertz. I think sometimes we, as fans, fail to see the utility of players if they aren’t dribbling round the whole opposition and smashing it in the top corner. And I think Havertz is one that does more… Read more »
Going to throw this out there, just my opinion. I’d sooner buy Mount than Havertz (don’t shoot me)
Nah, I’d defo second that.
We’d have half the bloody England team if we did!
On a side note, Chelsea are really taking a gamble if they are getting premiership proven players like Havertz and Mount off their books and hoping that the likes of Mudryk, Nkuku and Enzo do the business.
That’s a risky game when we don’t really know if these players are any good.
Better the devil you know and all that…
Madueke has looked pretty good for them (bar not very high, though), and I’d have loved him at arsenal, but given where he came from (spurs academy) it was always unlikely.
The fact other top teams are circling trying to steal a lot of the players they were effectively trying to replace suggests that they might be making a mistake
I think it’s really a proper shit show there. Players like Havertz and Mount will be crying down the phone to their agent.
Any chopper. As long as it leaves Saigon.
A devil like Nic Pepe? We need to move him on (or get a tune outa him!) before splurging more cash on Havertz (who’s stats for Chelsk are wrose than Peope’s for us, interestingly!0
“…whoever is in charge, they play Havertz.”
Exactly! That should tell you all you need to know about his qualities. Also, he’s 6’4″… about time we got some vertical presence in our front line. G Jesus has a great leap, but still…
Well obviously they wouldn’t play him if they didn’t like his altitude.
Right. I’ll get my coat.
Not really a striker though is he. Just cos he’s played up front for Chelski doesn’t mean he what we need. His overall contribution for the past 3 seasons had been shit.
He always seemed shit to me and I always found it amusing that he cost them so much money.
To be fair they manage to make most players look shit and Real Madrid are allegedly in for him, so perhaps he is better than I think
Watching his highlights for Leverkusen he looks incredible. Could be another opportunity like Odegaard I suppose.
He could be our De Bruyne or Salah?
Chelsea made both of them look shit
There was huge hype surrounding him before he moved to that lot. I think he has the potential to be really good and that Arteta can unlock that potential. I think this would be a great signing. Him and Rice would be excellent signings, this would take us to the next level.
I agree instinctively, but in defence of it it would’ve been exactly many people’s thoughts about KdB and Salah given their time at Chelsea..
The place is a void!
See my point below on Nic Pepe – another costly experiment that has misfired – and he still (despite all the fragmented bit-part appearances) has better goal stats for us than Kai has for Chelsk!
Can Magic Mik work wonders with Havertz’ obvious talent as shown in other leagues? He couldn’t do it with Pepe… who we still need to get off the books… why bring in another spec-attacker??
Pepe was not an Arteta player as he doesn’t have the versatility, mentality and defensive mindset to play as a unit. Arteta can’t coach players who don’t listen, Pepe, Nuno and Sambi. No out of possession nous.
You sound like you’ve been Arteta’s assistant
I see A&E, I think Accident and Emergency.
That’s Chelsea’s buying team / manager tbh
Me too. That’s probably the intention. But talking of A&E, and making a tenuous link, if I’m not mistaken Havertz was messed up by covid for a bit. Super Frank I think mentioned the whole ‘long covid’ thing at some point as a reason for his poor form. It seems I share the concerns of many. He has been pretty average for Chelsea, and I never saw him in Germany. But again, as with many, I have some faith in our A&E. If Chelsea are having a bargain basement clear out sale to make room for the new seasons stock,… Read more »
This might just be why we settled for the Top 4 trophy and were thrashed regularly in the higher rounds in Europe. The 10 – 2 aggregate drubbing by a little-above-average Bayern still hurts! Such scoreline should never have been in the first place.
Give MA credits when it’s due. He probably brought Saka to a next level, brought out the goals from Odeguard, turn Xhaka from villain to almost cult hero, improved Saliba (orthodox or not) and the major breakthrough is turning the toxic stadium environment to one of the best and loudest stadium across Europe dispensing positivity energy
Now, how’s that for development
Agree, we need to see the big picture.
A name that grates against your list is Pepe – who also happens to have cost us just about what Toddy Boy wants for Havertz. Player with undoubted talent who just cant seem to be made to fit?
And yet – with all the sporadic in/out appearances and ‘no-confidence’ votes from management, still has a better goal return for us than Havertz has for Chelsk.
Arteta is doing a great job but saying he took saka to another level I just personally don’t believe. Saka is a world class talent that took himself to that level.
The credit Arteta can take though is he brought in (mostly) players to compliment and aid that.
But trust me if Saka had left two years ago, or leaves in 2 more years. He would/will be a world beater regardless.
Chamakh !! Crazy talk
And yet most of the replies are very similar to the Ramsdale reaction. We’ve got Super Mik Arteta…
I’d prefer Mbappe…
Since Stan is flashing the cash…
ha. MBappe would be nice!
I still kinda fancy Zaha on a free but I guess he’ll be after a longer contract than we would offer. Maybe he wants to play more and not be Martinelli’s understudy.
That ship has sailed 3-4 years ago
Just a bit…
Personally, I don’t like this link at all
===
Neither does Ralph Macchio. Wax on, wax off!
Versatile but not particularly productive anywhere?
the old “jack of all trades, master of none” scenario
I don’t care that he’s from Chelsea, what matters for me is he’s not done anything consistently in the prem league. Just like Pepe and Viera and Mudryk he’s been great in other leagues but not in English football. That makes him a high risk signing.
Wake me up from this nightmare!!! No
Don’t like this.
Yup fuck this and fuck giving those blue cunts a single penny
I’m hoping this is a smokescreen to keep Chelsea busy whilst we sign Kvaradonna.
Hope this isn’t true.
Indicate £100m and pull at the last minute, leaving them with zero FFP leeway
My secret hope. Combo to f Chelsea and a smoke screen while we move on other targets
Huehuehue. Put the money on a string and pull it away as Boehly goes to pick it up.
If we bid £100 million, Chelsea would gazump us with a higher bid – as they always target players we try to buy lol EVEN if they already own the player (yup that’s how dim they are)
Risky but there is a lot of untapped potential there. Presumably Arteta thinks he could get the best out of him.
I prefer Balogun any day. What about Balogun’s potential?
Havertz has already played and scored in a CL final, Balogun still has some way to go yet.
Which is pretty much all he’s ever done at Chelsea! Even Nic Pepe has a better PL record than Havertz!
Coaching, context and team culture plays such a huge part in player performance.
Just look at Xhaka. He went from being a liability to being one of the best players in the team this year.
For instance I’m not sure Mudryk would have been such a monumental bust if he played for Arsenal. And I think Trossard would have been a bust for Chelsea.
Like Pepe, then?
Why are you so far up Pepe’s arse? He’s fucking shit, get over it.
He was excellent in Germany….. it increases quality and squad depth in the final third if you can get pass the scummy Chelsea connection. Interesting if it happens.
We are definitely after a striker/wide forward this window. He can cover both and has PL experience. If it can be done cheaply then why not. I just hate giving Chelski money.
To think we coulda had HFB from them for 1 million… woulda taken him over Havertz 8 days outa 7!
Should’ve never let him go.
As long as it doesn’t affect Ricedo then fine …. trust Arteta.
(Think it’s probably bollocks though)
I haven’t seen a reference to Stan Kroenke’s Denver Nuggets winning him another championship last night. I think he likes winning and will sign checks for top talent.
Is Havertz in that class, though? I’m on the fence. Is he even an upgrade on Eddie? He’s probably going to cost more than we should be laying out for a squad player, and I don’t see him as a frequent starter.
FYI Josh basically runs the nuggs and has for awhile (including all the mistakes for the past ten years or so).
Maybe he’s learnt from those mistakes, then?
y tho
German gunner here,
I watched Havertz quite a lot in his time at B-Leverkusen, if deployed in the “right” position he can be remarkable. The only player who got compared technical wise with Ozil in the Bundesliga. I think he could be a weapon for us.
Yep. Could be a really fantastic signing.
Nail on the head. He is 100% not a striker, but that’s where he plays mainly for Chelsea. He’s certainly offer good competition if the fee was right. But need to make sure we don’t overload our attacking options too (unless we have some leavers)
If he’s not a striker, where does he play? Sure depth is great, but he does not seem like the type that will be happy as a rotational player behind Odegaard. Clearly a very good player there, but I worry more about his mental fragility/ego. He’s very much a part of the Chel$ki collapse.
Yeah, he seems quite soft. A bit like Ozil, to go back to the original post above.
He seems more interested in his hair than anything else. Fair enough I guess, he is a handsome fellow.
In your esteemed opinion sir, what would be his “right” position? That seems to be what has everyone flummoxed.
He’s excelling with quite a few others in the position of ruining Chel$ki right now. Why remove him from that role?
I’ll take him. And we will be happy to trade in Pepe to sweeten the deal (and reducing the cost)
Are you aware that Pepe actually has a BETTER PL record for us than Havertz has for Chelsea? And that’s off a way less secure base – sporadic selection, a manager who clearly doesn’t back him… be careful what you wish for!
Oh yes I’m aware. But unfortunately Pepe just doesn’t command any interest atm, while somehow Havertz does. We can happily sell him off 6/12 months down the road and reinvest from it.
Getting tired of players leaving on free transfer / running down contract / mutual agreement.
It’s time to up our game in the transfer market.
Might be an unpopular opinion but I would lover this player at the Emirates! I think he is the type of player that would just flourish under Arteta. Very exciting player to watch too, he just isn’t a striker that’s all.
Thing is we need a striker, much more than another wide player.
He was good when he first arrived there. Last season he was invisible but considering the circumstances I don’t think anyone at Chelsea can be measured by last season’s performance.
Not sure about this one.
Averaged a goal or assist every other game in the Bundesliga. Don’t really know what’s gone wrong at Chelsea, but not mad about this link – though accept that seems to be an unpopular opinion. I’d say Real Madrid is more likely, but they are looking likely to spend a chunk of change on Mbappe, so maybe there’s not enough in the coffers for Havertz as well.
Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. Good God.
Scary isn’t it
We need squad depth for the Champions League campaign. If he’s good enough for Real Madrid… Having said that, I don’t like paying a single penny to Chelshit.
Why not? They’re not exactly spending it wisely.. It’s not like “a metric f*ckton of money” has done anything good for them recently 😂
Can we please stop buying Chelsea’s rejects.
Fair question, but in this case it’s more of Havertz rejecting Chelsea. I’d say the same of Jorginho, who wanted to jump ship. Willian was the last Chelsea reject we signed, though I think even in that case they were keen to keep him. It just so happened that he went from being one of their best players one season, to one of our worst players the season after!
I think that–at the time–the Willian purchase looked like it made sense, though the contract was too long. If he had played that season for us the way he played for Chelsea before or for Fulham after, no one would be griping too much. A bit inexplicable.
It was so weird watching Willian at Fulham last season – He was running and passing forward and scoring goals! All the things he never even tried at Arsenal.
One would have been forgiven for wondering if he has a twin who is not shit and they sometimes swap places with each other.
Let’s not forget that our idiotic “muh chelsea rejects!!” superstition meant the fanbase was pretty much willing Willian to fail from the beginning – always a difficult context in which to thrive – and led us to say cruel spiteful shit like “he’s just here to cruise to his last paycheck he’a fucking shit!!!!!!!” before he promptly rocked up to Fulham and demonstrated that that supposition on our fanbase’s part was, in fact, rancid bullshit. Kinda makes me want to get into women’s football more where that kind of low-rent meanness seems to not be tolerated. One hopes if we… Read more »
What’s that? April’s fools?
This is just media speculative crap but….
I thought we had learned our lesson and avoided reject players from Stamford Bridge.
Besides, we need players who can be prolific in front of goal not some floppy haired twit with two left feet.
Jorginho was quite good though. I’m not a massive fan of this but he’s 24 at least and not semi retired
I hadn’t considered Jorginho to be honest.
I was thinking more of Willian, Luiz and Cech when I referred to Chelsea rejects.
To be honest this is just media speculation so its to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah.
Willian, dreadful. Luiz, random. But Cech wasn’t a bad signing in the scheme of things.
Cech was decent at best during his time at Arsenal. And he faded out hard at the end. He certainly wasn’t a “good” signing. Definitely the nicest scum to ever play for those blue fucks though. But nice doesn’t do much in footie, and nice and old does less.
He was a thoroughly good player before he went to chelski,
definitely some potential there,
but I always struggle with the idea of signing players from there.
Ummm… NO. Get Caicedo.
Both!
Nah
First instinct is I don’t like this. But I trust Arteta and Edu enough to give it a chance if true.
Not saying people are wrong to have doubts over this, but for those shouting “chelsea reject”, let’s remember Salah and De Bruyne were also “chelsea rejects” at a similar age to Havertz. Just in case anyone’s missed it, Chelsea aren’t a very bright club.
You can also add Arjen Robben to that list as well.
But yes, you are quite right they are not particularly bright – an accusation that can most certainly be levelled at their ape like supporters as well.
I remember going to a pub where fans from different teams would have banter and drinks – great vibe – then three Chavski thugs turned up and were clearly looking for trouble. A woman gave them banter and their response was “if you were a bloke we’d smash your head into that window”!! Really killed the atmosphere and we were all glad when they left!!!
Scolari wanted Drogba out if it wasn’t for Abramovitch who decided otherwise. Drogba wrote that in his book.
Chelsea’s mistakes weren’t as obvious when Abramovich was willing to lose a hundred million a year, every year.
hahaha – how the tide has changed and I fucking love it.
Regardless wether we get him, the fact that Chelsea’s best players, in the prime of their careers are being linked with us, puts a big smile on my face. Fuck you Chelsea. Now you know how it feels.
I think he’s just what we need up front, not as a starter but as a versatile attacker who could play anywhere across the frontline. We need competition for Jesus and rotation option for Saka, here we have that in a single player. There’s a reason Madrid are sniffing, he’s a premium talent who has not benefitted from the constant managerial rotation at Chelsea.
I don’t think people appreciate Havertz enough. This man bullied Ramos at 23. He comes off as if he’s lethargic, be’s quick, he’s actually strong, and he’s tall enough to help us with that aeriel threat we missed throughout last season.
I saw a comment on another post calling for a highly technical, tall striker. What do y’all think Havertz is?
I think that, at this point, we should just trust the manager. He means well, he’s proven he’s great at knowing what this team needs. We simply must trust him if it’s true he wants this player.
In regards to the havertz rumour, I genuinely hope it doesn’t happen. I don’t like taking Chelsea players at the best of times and he’s been totally mediocre for them. Big whiff of Mhikitaryan off this one. On a second more divisive opinion, I don’t like the Mpabbe rumours (as unrealistic as they are anyway). He doesn’t have the team spirit or cohesion to work with this group and he’s so far ahead of all our players I feel it would hinder them, just pass the ball to Mbappe whenever he demands it, similar to late stage Henry but worse.… Read more »
Pettiest and potentially most nonsensical mbappe gripe ever here, but I’ve basically taken a disliking to him ever since he waited for the cameras to be on him and made that stupid face after Kane’s penalty miss in the World Cup. Can only assume be was hoping to cash in on being made into a meme or some dumb shit like that. Annoying weirdo.
If a player is brilliant for his country, and looks shit for his club, maybe there’s something wrong at the club. I don’t mean Mbappe has been shit for PSG, but none of your complaints make any sense if you watch him play for France. Even more true for Pogba—just brilliant for his country, bafflingly mediocre and inconsistent for Man United.
It would be a huge mistake to sign Havertz, even on a bargain buy.
The priority now is central midfield. Hopefully Rice and Caicedo will come in to provide cover for Partey and Xhaka.
If we sign a striker we need an out and out central-forward who can get us at least 20 goals a season. That ain’t Havertz.
The manager doesn’t agree with you.
I could be wrong, but I’m taking a guess that Arteta probably sees him as cover on the right wing for Saka.
He can, of course, also play up front, but I’d be very surprised if that was what was prominent in Mikel’s thinking here.
Havertz hasn’t been at what his best probably is at Chelsea, and he plays like someone with a point to prove (something we’ve targeted with additions in the past, like odegaard). He also would provide cover on the right (his preferred position and also somewhere he doesnt get to play often because chelsea have to strikers, lol), something we’ve all been clamoring for. He’s also probably on big wages they need to shift. That said, I don’t care for the player so it will probably happen, but at least he’s not 30 and could be moved on of he doesn’t… Read more »
Reining in City should be the overarching drive for any transfer. Does Kai make us better? Rice would; Caicedo would. But Kai, a fully rested and believed-in Smith Rowe, I believe, can offer what he does…and more. And considering ESR’s contribution – or none thereof – last season, he would almost be LANS.
There’s a lot of games next season o except us to get to the fa cup final at least in that competition.
Eat I like and agree can come good again . But he will be we be 6 foot four and score a 1/3 of his goals with header which Kis.h. does
Here’s an interesting comparison: Arsenal have a similar ‘underperforming/high-potential’ player already on their books who has a better record than Havertz: 27 goals from 112 appearances.
Nic Pepe – and given that many of those appearances have been fragmented and inconsistently made – the fact that we already have a bloke better than Havertz makes you wonder why on earth we’re in for him??
I’d rather give Nic a few cracks down the middle, IF we’re stuck with him this season… he’s good off both feet, can dribble and what have we got to lose giving it a go!
Pepe is very much NOT good off both feet. I’d rather someone better than either. As I mentioned, Kylian Mbappe? Isn’t Arsene mates with his family?
Pepe’s time at the club is up, given that he doesn’t play the style of football arteta and the rest of the team do. Havertz can provide link play and operates better in a possession game, while pepe works best on the counter (something martinelli already does for us). I’m not saying I like the idea of havertz, but it does make more sense than reintegration of a player who doesn’t fit the system.
Mate (and Daveo above) – that’s exactly my point: why risk money on another ‘possible’ when we already have a bloke (our most expensive ever signing) who we can’t make fit – and who, despite that, has a better record for us than Havertz has for Chelsk!!
Provided this wouldn’t jeopardise our budget to sign Rice and Caicedo – in other words we sign them as well – then I’d have no problem with this signing. In his prime, Premiership and ECL experienced, clearly able to deploy either up front or, which I think is the more likely option, to offer back up to Saka on that right wing. Having Turner, Tommi, Kiwior, Partey, ESR, Jorginho, Trossard, Eddie and Havertz to select for the bench is proper Champions League/Premiership Title chasing stuff. Like I say, if a deal could be struck in addition to Rice and Caicedo… Read more »
Ffs another Chelsea wanker
Would you rather have Havertz over Eddie or Flo? Personally I’d prefer to see Flo get a chance
I meant Folarin, i had Florian in my head for some reason
I honestly always thought it was Florian until I saw your message. Thanks for the correction. And sorry
FloFol…They play in different positions so it’s not an either or situation.
Have to say I’d be surprised if they let him go with Pochettino there now. The only thing might be that he’s impatient to play Champions League again which that lot can’t offer (lol). If this does happen though he would be by far our best signing from Chelsea.
Arteta could work wonders with him as he’s the sort of intelligent and agile player that would really suit our game.
Yeah he’s got premier league experience but he’s been kak for the most part.
Whhaaattt..? Last thing we need is a forward that can’t score.
He most definitely is not a pure Number Nine which is what I thought we were after, but he has huge potential imo
But not for the money being talked about,
It’s probably bollocks anyway
If this goes ahead at that price I’d be very puzzled. The point of buying a talented player who’s low on form is that you pay lower fees.
Reminds me of Morata in how he’s utterly mediocre everywhere but keeps moving around for exorbitant fees.
Did the poo poo meter get retired??
Probably worth a punt at 40million + some add ons maybe. Hasn’t shone at Chelski but definitely a talented and dangerous player Arteta could mould into the team.
Just offer eddie in part ex for Rice, then we’ve always got Flo in case we can’t get another striker. Striker not our biggest priority.
Do you think West Ham want Eddie?
As Johnny 4 hats says, I’m inclined to trust. We’ve had an extraordinary season, despite the obvious, but if MA or Edu really
think someone can add to our collective, I’m inclined to give them the benefit of doubt. He may look a lot like a rat, and finish like Lukaku (could he be our back up goalie?), that’s counter balanced by Benny Blanco – hell we could sign Luke Chadwick, the Nevilles and that lad with the little arms and racist face from
Liverpool circa 2007 and Bennie would still put us in credit.
It would be hilarious if all clubs decided to boycott transfers from Chelsea and let them dissolve in an FFP puddle of their creation.
Underwhelming, but I’ll support whoever comes in.
Smokescreen, surely.
Watching his Leverkusen highlights again, could we be buying him to replace Xhaka (especially against a deeplying team)?
I don’t understand this? If we are keeping Nelson for Saka/Martinelli cover, and holding onto Vieira (lift heavy, eat your protein) as Odegaard cover, and the consensus is Havertz isn’t a striker, why would we want him? I’d rather lock in on Balogun for the striker role, and not feed the blue beast with any of the money, especially the ridiculous numbers being tossed around.
I see him as a tall 9.5 who will bag some useful goals but is more valued for build-up play. Gives us a crossing target against a low block and can also stretch a pressing opponent by providing a long outlet to start fast counter attacks. Ramsdale to KH, nod down to Martinelli, afterburners, pull back to whomever is coming into the box
Put him on or start him in lieu of any of the front four. Plenty of football next season.
I get the impression Arteta has been looking for Ode rotation for a while since Vieira isn’t quite there…maybe that’s what Kai is? Apparently he was amazing there pre Chelsea.
This better not be true. If it is, WTF are Edu and Arteta doing. He is rubbish. Even Xhaka contributed to more goal this season. He averages about 10 contributions per season and Chelski want 70 million, do me a favour.
Graun says this “They are willing to sell Havertz, who moved to Stamford Bridge for £62.5m three years ago, and are looking for a fee of £70m.”
And that is insane!! we should be interested if it is 30 or thereabouts. Nothing more.
I hope we are playing Chelski here and just dangling a carrot as long as we can.