Arsenal agree to a £65m deal to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea

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Arsenal have agreed a £65m deal to secure the services of German international Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea.

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It is understood that the clubs have made an agreement in principle that will allow the player to discuss personal terms and obtain a medical.

Should terms be agreed, the 24-year-old Havertz will become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer spell.

Arsenal will be hoping Havertz is the first of two key rapid-fire entrants to the Emirates Stadium as they also look to secure the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham United.

Arsenal had previously rejected two bids for the England midfielder – the latest believed to be worth around £90m including add-ons – but are expected to return with a third, with the Hammers holding £100m.

But the signing of Havertz – who has 36 caps for Germany and scored 13 goals – appears to be closing in soon.

Havertz joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for £72m in 2020 and scored 32 goals in 139 appearances for the Blues, including the win against Manchester City to clinch the Champions League title in 2021.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Havertz said after the final at Porto Dragão. “I waited so long, and now I did. I worked 15 years for that moment, and now I’m so happy.”

After scoring 14 goals in 2021/22, Havertz managed just nine goals in all competitions last season, but he was still Chelsea’s top scorer alongside Raheem Sterling.

Havertz joins N’Golo Kante on his way out of Stamford Bridge, the French midfielder having just completed a move to champions Saudi Arabia, as new manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to shrink his bloated squad.

After spending nearly £600m since last summer, Chelsea will need to get players out or risk FFP laws falling through.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defender Kalidou Koulibaly and winger Hakim Ziyech are reported to be in talks with Saudi Pro League teams Al-Ahly, Al-Hilal and Al-Nasr respectively.

The Blues have also agreed a £30m deal with Manchester City for Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 29.

Chelsea season ratings

Chelsea season rankings 2022/23: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6. After starting the season on the bench, he made the number 1 shirt himself with an excellent performance in terms of form. Performances petered out as Chelsea’s season collapsed, and while Kepa didn’t do much wrong, he hardly saved his side either. GT.

Updated June 22, 2023, 2:40 AM

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