The Athletic claimed on Wednesday that Arsenal and Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of German attacker Kai Havertz to Arsenal for about £65 million ($82.72 million).
According to the source, personal agreements with Havertz have been reached, and Arsenal will pay an initial fee of £62 million plus an additional three million in add-ons for the 24-year-old’s transfer across London.
After paying Nicolas Pepe, an Ivory Coast forward, a club-record fee of over £72 million in 2019, Havertz would be Arsenal’s second-most expensive acquisition.
Havertz, a German international, spent two successful seasons with Bayer Leverkusen of the Bundesliga before being signed by Chelsea in 2020 on a five-year deal for almost £71 million.
He scored the game-winning goal against Manchester City in the 2021 final to help Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League in his first season.
Havertz, who played in a variety of front line and midfield positions, got 14 goals in the 2021–22 season, but just nine the year before as Chelsea struggled to score under three different managers and placed 12th in the league.
After spending more than €600 million ($655.74 million) on new acquisitions since being acquired by an investor group led by American businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital last year, they are aiming to unload players during the close season.
For the first time since the 2016–17 season, Arsenal, who finished second to eventual champions Manchester City, has earned a spot in the Champions League.
The north London club is also looking to reinforce their midfield, with Declan Rice of West Ham United being one of their key targets.
