James OlleySenior Writer, ESPN FC21. Jun 2023 07:20 ET2 minutes read
Marcotti: Havertz is not a traditional centre-forward
Don Hutchison and Gab Marcotti discuss Arsenal’s interest in signing Kai Havertz and other potential signings on The Gab & Juls Show.
Arsenal are close to completing a deal worth around £65m ($83m) to sign Chelsea striker Kai Havertz, according to ESPN sources.
The deal is still ongoing – a source close to Chelsea said on Wednesday they had not yet received a formal, improved offer – but all parties believe an agreement is drawing closer as talks continue over the transfer’s exact structure and personal terms continuing is not considered a problem.
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ESPN reported on Monday that Havertz told Chelsea he was not interested in signing a new deal with the club.
His current contract expires in 2025 and Chelsea do not want to be put in a situation where the 24-year-old’s contract expires and he loses value as a result.
New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking to reshape his forward line this summer and is ready to let Havertz go.
Sources told ESPN that Arsenal have hinted in talks that in addition to being able to play as a No. 10 or No. 8, they see Havertz as a possible option on one of three attacking positions in an interchangeable forward line at the top of a 4 -3-3 systems.
Havertz struck the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final but has struggled to find consistency in his performances, scoring 32 goals in 139 games in all competitions.