Arsenal are reportedly ahead of European giants Bayern Munich in the race to sign Kai Havertz from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
After scoring seven Premier League goals for Chelsea during the 2022/23 campaign, Havertz has emerged as a shock target for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League and he has identified Havertz as one of his main targets.
The Germany international is under contract until 2025 and Chelsea are understood to value him at around £70m.
Arsenal have already had one bid for Havertz rejected and they are set to return with a fresh offer. The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg is reporting that the Gunners are ‘confident Chelsea’s need to sell will force them to accept £60m for Havertz, but they will have to fend off interest from Bayern Munich’.
Chelsea are ‘willing to sell’ Havertz after the player informed their board of his ‘desire to leave this summer’.
The Blues are reportedly hopeful that rival interest from Bayern Munich will increase the price for the forward but Arsenal are understood to be in the ‘driving seat’. The report adds.
‘Havertz would be happy to join Mikel Arteta’s side and stay in London, and believe that £60m will convince Chelsea to sell. Arsenal are looking for more depth up front and are offering Havertz a fresh start after a difficult season at Stamford Bridge.
‘However, the situation has been complicated by Bayern’s interest. The Bundesliga champions have lacked incision since losing Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona last year but their search for a No 9 is threatening to end in frustration. Moves for Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen have not taken off.
‘Bayern have switched their focus to a player who can operate in a variety of roles and have made contact with Havertz’s camp. Havertz has regularly filled in as a false 9 for Chelsea and wants more opportunities to demonstrate his creativity in a deeper role. Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, knows the former Bayer Leverkusen player from his time in charge of Chelsea.
‘The Tuchel factor has not prevented Arsenal from remaining favourites to sign Havertz.’
READ MORE: Kai Havertz is a marginal gain for Arsenal when they need giant leaps forward
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour is concerned that Havertz is not “the right signing” for his former club.
“You need an out-and-out goalscorer, if you’re Arsenal,” Parlour told talkSPORT. “They’ve got so much good back-up play behind the striker, but they need someone to put the ball in the net.
“For me, I don’t think that’s the right signing but obviously Edu and Mikel Arteta will be talking behind the scenes and thinking he can play here or there. There might be a plan for him.
READ MORE: Arsenal £20m short on two deals; Man Utd haggle with Chelsea… rejected bids and where they stand