Arsenal agree £65 million deal to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea

— London 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 cost of £62 million plus an additional $3 million in add-ons for the 24-year-old’s transfer across London.

After paying Nicolas Pepe of the Ivory Coast a club-record fee of over £72 million in 2019, Havertz would be Arsenal’s second-most expensive acquisition.

Germany international Havertz was signed by Chelsea on a five-year contract in 2020 for around £71 million after two prolific seasons with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

At Chelsea, he won the Champions League in his first season, scoring the winner in the 2021 final against Manchester City.

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 are also looking to strengthen their midfield with West Ham United’s Declan Rice among their main targets.