When Arsenal's 2022/23 season concluded four weeks ago, not many would have envisioned the Gunners finding themselves in a transfer battle that’s not involving Declan Rice.
The West Ham star is Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar's top priority now the summer transfer window is officially open. An improved bid worth £100million is set to be submitted to the Hammers after a base fee of £80million with a potential £10million in add-ons was turned down.
For some time, a dominant midfielder and centre-back has seemed to be what Arsenal were looking for. Then came the surprise link to Kai Havertz. football.london understands the Gunners' interest in the Chelsea forward is genuine, though the supposed £70million asking price could prove difficult to negotiate.
At the time of writing, the two clubs are some distance in reaching an agreement. In an ideal world, Chelsea will lower their asking price to avoid the risk of losing the German international on a free transfer in two years time, though they have proved with Mason Mount that they are unlikely to soften their stance on soon-to-be out of contract assets.
As well as the uncertainty surrounding the finances involved in the deal, Arsenal are also in competition with Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga holders have long been credited with interest in the 24-year-old, a desire that has only grown since Thomas Tuchel’s appointment.
However, reliable German publication BILD have claimed Bayern won't make a move for Havertz on the pure basis that they can sign a striker elsewhere. It's understood Bayern will prioritise a move for a 'superstar striker', with Randal Kolo Muani, Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic all above Havertz on Tuchel's list of forwards.
READ MORE: Kai Havertz to Arsenal transfer latest: Chelsea bid response, Arteta plan, price tag, Tuchel claim
Here is where it gets confusing. All three of Bayern's preferred targets have suitors around Europe. First of all, Kolo Muani has been on Manchester United's radar for some time and is expected to leave Eintracht Frankfurt after a superb debut season in Germany.
Osimhen could leave Napoli this summer after reportedly being reluctant to commit his future to the Scudetto holders. football.london understands Chelsea, ironically, hold an interest in the goalscorer and could make a move to bolster Mauricio Pochettino's options in attack.
Like Osimhen, Vlahovic is also on Pochettino's radar. Christopher Nkunku's arrival at Stamford Bridge rules out the necessity to replace Havertz should he leave, yet a new number nine is expected to come through the door before the Premier League season kick starts in August.
Various reports from Italy have suggested Chelsea have given Juventus the opportunity to pick from Christian Pulisic, Trevoh Chalobah, Romelu Lukaku, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kalidou Koulibaly as part of a player-plus-cash deal for the Serbian.
Now if Chelsea manage to pull-off the blockbuster deal for either Vlahovic or Osimhen and Man United win the race for Kolo Muani, it would leave Bayern with only Havertz.
Fortunately for Arsenal, Chelsea may struggle to win the race for either of the strikers due to the financial details surrounding the deal. The Blues have spent over £600million in the last two transfer windows and are not expected to spend as much due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
Bayern's interest elsewhere creates an open pathway for Arteta to strengthen his squad with the signing of Havertz in the coming weeks.
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