Arsenal next signing after Declan Rice emerges with West Ham United offer expected soon
By Callum O’Connell
After Arsenal finalise a deal to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice, they will attempt to attract Chelsea’s Kai Havertz to The Emirates, according to the Daily Mail.
Arsenal would be expected to pay a “considerable transfer sum” to sign the Chelsea forward as Todd Boehly is reluctant to see him leave.
The Gunners are set to reassess their financial situation after spending an expected fee of over £100million on Rice.
Mail Sport has claimed that Arsenal are keen on Havertz due to his ability to play multiple roles, as a striker or an attacking midfielder, as they look to bolster their squad depth and mount another title challenge next season.
There are better options
Arenal are right to want another striker after Gabriel Jesus missed three months during the second half of last season, but Chelsea will demand the sort of fee that should make the North London club look elsewhere.
Todd Boehly’s reluctance to sell, as well as considering the inflated price tag that always comes with buying from a rival, could mean Arsenal would have to pay upwards of the £68.3million the Blues paid to sign Havertz in 2020 if they want to land the forward.
The fee for Rice looking to be upwards of £100million suggests Arenal may be well-placed to spend big in the transfer market, but Havertz’ seven Premier League goals last season suggest he won’t be worth the money.
With Folarin Balogun returning from his loan spell at Stade Reims after scoring 21 goals in France’s top division, Arsenal may have a ready-made option in their ranks.