Chelsea are demanding £75m for Arsenal transfer target Kai Havertz, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
It was revealed on Wednesday that the Gunners had made an approach to sign the German international and, while Romano says the forward is “keen on the move”, the player’s asking price could prove to be a stumbling block:
Arsenal are in talks to sign Kai Havertz after positive contacts on player side — he’s keen on the move. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Chelsea want around £75m for Havertz now, Arsenal will not pay that amount.
⛔️ Real Madrid talks currently off.
⏳ Arsenal priority: bid for Declan Rice soon. pic.twitter.com/M6xrKfwMtJ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 14, 2023
Needless to say, Arsenal fans on Twitter don’t believe Havertz is worth anywhere near his current valuation:
75m???? Are they mad?
— The Arsenal (@ayeafc) June 14, 2023
35-40 tops id pay cuz he’s got age on his side, but really rate him too heavy.
— Jay (@jay50284344) June 14, 2023
We should be holding talks with Rice and Caicedo not this nonsense
— Jabulani 🇰🇪 🔫 (@KevinAmbundo4) June 14, 2023
75m? They ok in the head?
— Alf (@AlfredNewt101) June 14, 2023
Don’t want a player who can’t hit a barn door in our side
— Aaaron (@Aaronrutter9) June 14, 2023
40 max give them
— Opio Phillip Amodoi (@phillippabloh) June 14, 2023
Shouldn’t be more than 35m….
— Ayoola™️📸 (@phemmy008) June 14, 2023
A fast-moving transfer story
While it has been known for at least a week that the Gunners had some interest in Havertz, the fact that Mikel Arteta’s side have already made an offer for the 24-year-old is somewhat surprising.
Romano still emphasises that West Ham’s Declan Rice is the priority target but it appears that Arsenal are very serious about recruiting Havertz as well.
There are still doubts about whether the move will go ahead
Although it appears that the Gunners already have Havertz’s approval for the move, there is a A LOT of work to be done in terms of negotiations with Chelsea.
The Blues are trying to hold out for a fee close to the figure they signed him for from Bayer Leverkusen almost three years ago.
However, clubs are aware of their need to sell players, and it’s highly unlikely Arsenal or any other team will match the price they are asking for at the moment. The Gunners’ main rival for Havertz’s signature, Real Madrid, don’t seem to want to go above £50m. This transfer story could well drag on for quite some time.
