Arsenal have seen their opening bid for Kai Havertz rejected by Chelsea as they look to make major moves in the transfer window.
The Gunners have been buoyed by a season that surpassed all expectations with Mikel Arteta guiding the club to second spot and next season's Champions League. Plans are now being made to build on their impressive campaign as they look to fight on several fronts.
Havertz has been identified as a marquee buy with his Chelsea future by no means secure. He's delivered in patches since his move from Bayer Leverkusen and Mauricio Pochettino is set to come in and cast his eye over the Blues squad. The German could be a big-name casualty, but may also be a great capture for a potential buyer.
Arsenal's bid was turned down with Chelsea valuing the player at £70m, as per the Telegraph. A second offer could be lodged soon enough, but their ambition in the market shows how the club have shifted their mindset over the past decade. The Blues have, clearly, been the premier side in London, underlined by their trophy cabinet since the turn of the millennium.
The Gunners have, largely, attempted to play catch up. That hasn't stopped the two teams doing business, but often it has been at Chelsea's convenience. Adding Havertz would potentially turn the tables with the north Londoners going after a Blue whose best days are ahead of him.
Over the past 12 years Arsenal have acquired the likes of Petr Cech, David Luiz, Yossi Benayoun and Willian from Stamford Bridge. All of that quartet were either deemed beyond their peak or no longer a guaranteed starter. Even Cech, despite his impressive career, had been usurped by Thibaut Courtois.
In contrast, Chelsea have previously swooped in and taken Ashley Cole off Arsenal's hands. The controversial move in 2006 saw the Gunners lose out on an academy product, touted as a future captain, who is still regarded as among the best left-backs of his generation. The Blues signed Cole at 26 and, many will argue, enjoyed his best years.
Similarly, Havertz, at just 24, still has the best years ahead of him. The playmaker has scored 32 times in his three seasons at the Bridge, including the winner in the Champions League final back in 2021.
His versatility would be a huge asset for Arteta with the German capable of playing as a false 9, a No 10 and on the wings. Havertz's experience in the Champions League is also a plus.
Thomas Tuchel worked with Havertz at Chelsea for more than 18 months and was often enthusiastic in his praise, saying previously: “What he gives us is huge volume. He covers a lot of metres, he covers a lot of metres in high intensity, so he finds the intensity no matter what the system the opponent defends against us, he finds intensive runs, he finds distances."
