Kai Havertz may have just dropped a subtle hint over his future on Instagram. The player is the subject of extreme interest from Arsenal this summer as Chelsea look to clear out their squad and the Gunners attempt to add depth and quality to theirs.
Having finished as the club's second top scorer in the league Havertz still managed to record seven goals, even in a vastly underwhelming season for everyone at Stamford Bridge. However, after his £62million move from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 he has scored just 19 Premier League goals.
In three years he is yet to truly define his role in the squad, though that is partially down to the revolving door of managers, coaches and attacking teammates around him, there is an element of him not fitting in. His tally of eight last year is the most in a single campaign since moving with just 10 assist in 91 games he's not a creative magnet either.
As Chelsea now look to move on from a group of their overpaid and underperforming stars there is barely a player that is not for sale this summer. Although the club would not actively seek a sale of Havertz like they would for other frontline options, the interest offers them a chance to reset under Mauricio Pochettino.
Havertz is settled in London though and takes huge pride in his charity work and conservation projects that he has started. The interest from Arsenal in that sense is timely and both parties have an eagerness to get something agreed here.
Mikel Arteta's men would like to add his presence to their attack as they look for extra options in the central areas whilst Chelsea are looking to revamp their squad and recoup finances as quickly as possible to hit financial deadlines. The £70million price tag may well be too much as a starting point but there is confidence that a deal can be reached.
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Now, with Havertz first away with Germany on international duty before he is set to return to Cobham ahead of Chelsea's pre-season tour in four weeks, he has left a message which could be interpreted as a cryptic transfer nod. The 24-year-old took to Instagram to repost an image of himself and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
His contract with the treble winners ends at the end of the month with speculation over his future rife. Pep Guardiola and Manchester City would love to keep him but Arsenal and Barcelona are keen to snap the 32-year-old up for free if he becomes available. "No decision has been made yet, I’m still in the process to decide my future. You'll be the first to know once a decision has been made," he said ahead of playing Columbia in a friendly on Tuesday.
"There was a contact with Borussia Dortmund but it was never close as the return to Bundesliga is not part of my plans."
Meanwhile Pep Guardiola also spoke about Gundogan's situation, joking: "Yes, I’m hearing Barcelona is interested in him, but I’m also hearing Manchester City is very interested too! I wish he can stay with us, but if at the end Gundogan decides to join Barcelona I can only say they will do an extraordinary signing."
The Spanish coach is a massive fan of the midfielder after his yearly late season surge helped City to push on to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. "I know Xavi has spoken a lot of times with Gundogan," he continued.
"He has not told me whether he prefers to stay or leave. We just got time to celebrate a lot recently!"
There is a chance that Gundogan and Havertz could both be following each other to north London this summer, then. With Havertz's decision to post an image of himself and his international teammate, it could be with a glance to lining up with him in red next season under Arteta.
It could also just be two players using their social media innocently, only time will tell.
