Arsenal have reportedly made their ‘opening proposal’ for Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz and David Ornstein thinks the player’s exit is ‘highly possible’.
On Wednesday afternoon, it was revealed that Arsenal intend to ‘turn their attention’ to Havertz once their deal for West Ham standout Declan Rice is finalised.
I reckon it was fair to take this with a pinch of salt at the time, but this has now been backed up by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who is very reputable.
He has revealed that an ‘opening proposal’ has been submitted to Chelsea and Arsenal are ‘working to sign’ the Germany international.
The Gunners’ pursuit of the forward has ‘stepped up in recent days following contact with Chelsea and Havertz’, who is out of contract in 2025.
It is said that a transfer is ‘highly possible’ if a ‘deal emerges that suits all parties’. Speaking on Rice, Ornstein added: ‘Arsenal plan to make West Ham United an offer for Declan Rice soon. There has been positive dialogue around the matter and a bid is expected to be lodged in due course.
‘There is no desire at Arsenal to waste anybody’s time and so they plan to formalise their efforts once the situation is in good shape.’
Fabrizio Romano later added that “Arsenal are in talks to sign Havertz” and the Chelsea player is “keen on the move”.
Chelsea are said to “want £75m” for the Germany international but Arsenal “do not want to pay that amount”.
Luckily for the Gunners, Romano believes Chelsea ‘could be flexible about price tag after initial £75m request considered too high by Arsenal’. It is also claimed that Haverz’s stance on a move to the Emirates ‘could help negotiations’.
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Havertz could reunite with Jorginho if he secures himself a move to Arsenal. The World Cup winner left Chelsea in January to sign for the Gunners.
Speaking earlier this year, Havertz admitted he was shocked to discover that Jorginho was leaving during the winter transfer window.
“I played with Jorginho for two and a half years, he changed next to me, I loved being with him,” Havertz told The Guardian.
“And then, he calls me one evening and says: ‘I’m gone.’ I was like: ‘What the? How is this possible?’
“This is how quick things change. It’s a human thing. You just have to accept it, it’s football.”
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