18 June 2023 , 17:19
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Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Chelsea striker Kai Havertz – but the fee is still a stumbling block.
Havertz is keen on joining the Gunners, but they are not prepared to match Chelsea's £70 million asking price. The German forward, 24, is believed to be close to agreeing personal terms and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to add to his firepower for the Gunners' return to Champions League orbit next season.
Havertz is currently on international duty, and he played the full 90 minutes in Germany's 1-0 defeat against Poland on Friday night. And Arsenal are increasingly hopeful they can complete a deal for Havertz this week with a £10m-a-year wage package.
But Chelsea, who paid £71m to bring him to Stamford Bridge from Bayer Leverkusen three years ago, are determined to get their money back.
Arsenal's refusal to go beyond £60m remains a sticking point, and the Blues are in no rush to do a cut-price deal when there are two years left on Havertz's contract.
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Chelsea need to trim their bloated squad after a £600 million trolley dash in the last two transfer windows since Todd Boehly took over as owner.
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Kai Havertz has been away on international duty with Germany (Christian Charisius/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)They are preparing to offload Mason Mount to Manchester United, who have made a bid of £50m for the England playmaker; though Chelsea are holding out for a £70m transfer fee.
Indeed, Chelsea are holding firm on their stance with both Arsenal and United. It is, however, understood that new manager Mauricio Pochettino will let Havertz leave and defender Kalidou Koulibaly is wanted by Inter Milan.
Chelsea want to recoup £150 million for the trio – with Havertz fetching the largest fee.