Arsenal are willing to match the £250,000 salary that Kai Havertz is currently earning at Chelsea, according to the Evening Standard reporter Nizaar Kinsella.

The journalist claims that personal terms won’t be a problem for the Gunners and they are also hoping that a compromise over a transfer fee can be found before the end of the month:

Arsenal hope June deadline will see Chelsea drop Havertz asking price

✍️ @NizaarKinsella https://t.co/j1DBqRTAno

— Standard Sport (@standardsport) June 15, 2023

Due to Financial Fair Play regulations, Chelsea need sales before the end of June to balance the books for the 2022/23 season.

It means they could well soften their stance on Havertz’s asking price, which currently stands between £70m to £75m, depending on what report you read.

Arteta wants Havertz at the Emirates

Kinsella claims that it is Arteta who is the driving force behind the Gunners’ pursuit of the German international. The London club’s head coach reportedly believes Havertz “could add creativity to his team”.

The 24-year-old has played mostly as a centre-forward since making the switch from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea almost three years ago, but Arteta is expected to deploy him as an attacking midfielder.

A potential competitor for Odegaard?

If Arteta does want to use Havertz as a no.10, it does appear as if the German will be in direct competition with Arsenal’s captain for a place in the starting lineup.

Considering how well the Norwegian played last season, you do have to question why the Gunners are prepared to spend so much money on Havertz, especially when they are currently struggling to match West Ham’s asking price for Declan Rice.

In terms of priorities, you would have to say recruiting someone like Havertz shouldn’t really be that high up the agenda, but Arteta seems very keen on securing his signature.