Transfer Centre

Chelsea's Kai Havertz 'set to undergo Arsenal medical this weekend'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 23 June 2023

Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz is reportedly set to undergo his medical with Arsenal this weekend ahead of a £65m move from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz is reportedly set to undergo his Arsenal medical this weekend ahead of a £65m switch to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are understood to have agreed a deal in principle to make the 24-year-old their first summer signing after an underwhelming three years in West London.

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for Havertz, who is poised to sign a long-term deal worth in excess of £200,000 per week with Mikel Arteta's side.

According to Sky Sports News, the former Bayer Leverkusen man will undergo his medical with the Gunners over the weekend, which will most likely take place outside the UK.

Assuming that there are no further roadblocks, Arsenal are reportedly hoping to announce the signing of Havertz next week, having failed with one bid for the German before striking a deal for an initial £62m with £3m in add-ons.

Germany's Kai Havertz pictured on March 25, 2023 © Reuters

The 24-year-old's contract with Chelsea is due to expire in the summer of 2025, and having apparently made it clear that he is not willing to pen an extension, the Blues are happy to offload him this summer.

Havertz made a name for himself at Bayer Leverkusen before earning a £75m move to Chelsea in the summer of 2020, and he has since won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in West London.

Havertz scored the winning goal for the Blues in the 2020-21 Champions League final against Manchester City, one of 32 strikes that the versatile attacker has produced for Chelsea in 139 matches, as well as 15 assists.

The Germany international was largely deployed in a central attacking role last season but only managed nine goals in 47 outings, although he ended the campaign as Chelsea's highest Premier League scorer with seven goals.

While Havertz has predominantly spearheaded the attack for Chelsea, there have been suggestions that Arteta could try to mould him into a number eight in anticipation of Granit Xhaka's exit.

Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring for Arsenal on May 28, 2023 © Reuters

The Switzerland captain matched Havertz's Premier League goal tally with seven strikes of his own last season, in addition to contributing seven assists during a productive campaign.

However, Xhaka is believed to be on the verge of a £13m move to Havertz's former club Leverkusen, which should go through once the Gunners have signed a replacement.

Amid uncertainty over Thomas Partey's future, Arsenal are also continuing to work on a deal for West Ham United's Declan Rice, but they have already seen two offers rejected, including a revised bid worth £90m.

The North London giants are expected to come forward with a third offer, but West Ham are said to be demanding as much as £120m to sell their captain, which Arsenal are reluctant to meet.

The Gunners are hopeful that Rice's desire to move to the Emirates will win over, but Manchester City are now rumoured to be close to beating Arsenal to the Englishman's signature.