Transfer: Arsenal Respond As Chelsea Demand £70m For Kai Havertz

Arsenal is reportedly showing reluctance in meeting Chelsea’s £70 million asking price for midfielder Kai Havertz.

The Gunners have initiated talks to sign the German international this summer and are hopeful of securing a deal following their pursuit of West Ham captain Declan Rice.

Despite having two years left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, Havertz is open to a potential departure from Chelsea in the current transfer window.

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According to The Times, Chelsea is considering selling Havertz if he does not agree to a contract extension. However, Arsenal is not willing to meet the player’s valuation of £70 million.

MailOnline reports that Arsenal may be prepared to offer a package worth £60 million, including add-ons, as an alternative proposal.

Meanwhile, the Evening Standard states that Arsenal is willing to match Havertz’s current salary of £250,000 per week. Chelsea, on the other hand, is eager to offload players before the end of the month to include the funds in their 2022-23 financial accounts.

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The report further suggests that Chelsea is open to conducting business with Arsenal for Havertz, despite the notion of strengthening a direct rival.

Havertz joined Chelsea in a £71 million deal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. In his debut season at Stamford Bridge, the 24-year-old scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League final and has amassed an impressive tally of 32 goals in 139 appearances for the club.