Arsenal has made a significant addition to their squad by signing German attacking midfielder Kai Havertz from Chelsea on a “long-term contract.” The specific transfer fee remains undisclosed, but British media reports suggest that Arsenal is paying Chelsea around £65 million or €75 million.
This signing marks Arsenal’s first acquisition of the summer, although the British press has also reported that the club has agreed to a £105 million fee for West Ham’s England midfielder, Declan Rice.
Havertz, who joined Chelsea in 2020 from Bayer Leverkusen, has made 139 appearances in three seasons, scoring 32 goals. Notably, he netted the decisive goal in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final victory over Manchester City.
While Arsenal finished as runners-up in the Premier League last season, Chelsea is in the process of rebuilding their squad after a disappointing 12th-place finish.
Expressing his excitement about joining Arsenal, Havertz emphasized the high level of mentality within the team, which has made them a formidable opponent. He stated, “The aim is to win trophies, and I’m fully committed to giving my all to achieve that.”
On social media, Havertz bid farewell to Chelsea with a heartfelt message, acknowledging the club as his second home and expressing gratitude to the incredible fans for their unwavering support.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, praised Havertz, highlighting his exceptional qualities as a player. Arteta believes that Havertz’s versatility, intelligence, and skill will significantly strengthen their midfield and add variety to their style of play.