Transfer Centre

Mikel Arteta hails Kai Havertz as Arsenal 'near £65m deal for Chelsea forward'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 25 June 2023

Arteta hails Havertz as Arsenal 'near £65m deal for Chelsea forward'

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta brands Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz "a talented, versatile player", with the Germany international allegedly nearing a move to the Gunners.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has branded Kai Havertz "a talented, versatile player", with the Germany international now reportedly closing in on a switch to the Emirates Stadium from Chelsea.

The Gunners have allegedly agreed a £65m deal for the attacker, who could undergo a medical next week before the transfer is officially announced.

Havertz arrived at Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in September 2020, and he has represented the London club on 139 occasions, scoring 32 goals and registering 15 assists in the process.

Last season, the 24-year-old only managed nine goals and one assist in 47 appearances, and he is believed to have made it clear at the end of a disappointing season for the Blues that he wanted to leave.

Bayern Munich had been linked with the German, but Arsenal have seemingly won the race, and Arteta has praised the attacker's credentials.

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

The Arsenal head coach said that his club "are always interested in young players with experience" before commenting on Havertz's qualities.

"Talent has a price and, at Arsenal, we are always interested in young players with experience," Arteta told Marca.

"I repeat, I am not talking about players from other clubs, but, in the case of Kai, he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League. He is a talented, versatile player and he is only 24 years old."

During the same interview, Arteta was also asked about Declan Rice, who is currently being heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium from West Ham United.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on May 28, 2023 © Reuters

However, the Spaniard remained coy when quizzed on the England international, adding: "I can't talk about players who are not at the club. I prefer not to say anything."

Arteta also insisted that the Arsenal owners are prepared to back him in the transfer market this summer.

"We have already regenerated the squad, with a very young average that will generate performance and value. We have owners who are aligned with us: to build a winning team that can be sustained over time, without too much investment," he added.

"But the demands are increasing and we have to go to the market to find what we don't have to keep improving."

The Gunners, who finished second in the Premier League last season, will kick off their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a friendly against Nurnberg on July 13.