Arsenal Football Club has secured the services of forward Kai Havertz from their London rivals, Chelsea, in a transfer deal valued at a staggering £67.5 million ($85.4m), as reported by ESPN last week.
The talented German international has inked a long-term contract with the North London club, making him Arsenal’s first acquisition of the current transfer window.
“Kai is an exceptional player, boasting tremendous versatility and intelligence on the field. His addition will greatly bolster our midfield and add a new dimension to our style of play,” expressed Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
He continued, “We extend a warm welcome to Kai and his family as they join Arsenal Football Club. We are eagerly looking forward to commencing our pre-season training and beginning our work together.”
Havertz’s time at Chelsea has been marked by ups and downs, with the forward often struggling to consistently exhibit the match-winning prowess he displayed during his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen. Chelsea had secured his services for an initial fee of £62 million ($78.4m) in 2020.
Undeniably, the highlight of Havertz’s Chelsea career thus far is his decisive goal in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City, which secured the team’s second-ever European Cup.
Expressing his excitement, Havertz shared, “Joining this incredible club and becoming part of the Arsenal family is an immensely thrilling prospect for me. Arsenal possesses a rich history, and I hope we can achieve great things together.”
He added, “The mentality within the Arsenal squad is exceptional, evident in the team’s recent performances. That’s one of the reasons why they have been formidable opponents. Our objective is to clinch trophies, and I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to accomplish that for the fans and everyone associated with the club. I eagerly anticipate meeting my new teammates and staff during pre-season.”
ESPN previously reported that Havertz had informed Chelsea of his disinterest in extending his contract with the club. He is expected to make his debut for Arsenal in their match against Nottingham Forest on August 12th.
Havertz’s departure from Chelsea comes amidst a significant overhaul at the West London club, driven by Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly, the club’s owners. They aim to trim the squad’s size in preparation for the arrival of their new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino.
Already, the likes of N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibally, and Edouard Mendy have departed Chelsea to join clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Meanwhile, players such as Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, and Mason Mount have also been linked with potential moves away from the club.
