Arsenal are closing on signing of Kai Havertz with a medical set to take place overseas this weekend; a formal announcement of the £65m move could be made next week; talks also continue with West Ham over Declan Rice; Man City enter race for West Ham captain
Friday 23 June 2023 01:21, UK
Chelsea forward Kai Havertz will have a medical this weekend ahead of completing his move to Arsenal, while talks continue over Declan Rice.
Havertz's medical is likely to take place overseas due to the player's schedule and, all being well, a formal announcement of his £65m move could come next week.
Chelsea are understood to be satisfied with the deal as Havertz has made it clear he wants to leave Stamford Bridge.
It spells the end of a three-year stint at Chelsea for Havertz, who secured his place in the club's history by scoring the goal that won them a second Champions League crown in 2021.
Chelsea signed Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for £75m but were looking to recoup a substantial portion of what they paid after an indifferent campaign.
The proposed transfer to Arsenal generates much-needed funds for the Blues while strengthening and adding versatility to Mikel Arteta's attacking options as the Gunners attempt to build on last season's second-place finish in the Premier League.
Arsenal also remain in talks with West Ham over the signing of Rice. There is an expectation they will make a third offer after having a club-record bid worth £90m rejected.
However, Sky in Italy reported on Thursday Manchester City are closing on a deal for the West Ham captain. They are prepared to pay £75m + £15m in bonuses payable across two years for Rice.
Thomas Partey could also be on the move, with Juventus interested, although there has been no formal bid yet.
Arsenal want a degree of certainty about arrivals before sanctioning any departures.
How would Havertz be remembered at Chelsea? Which club would be getting the better end of the deal? And what are the qualities that make him so appealing to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta?
Sky Sports' Joe Shread and Nick Wright tackle the Chelsea and Arsenal angles respectively.
Sky Sport News reporter Mark McAdam on the Transfer Show:
"Rice is Arsenal's No 1 target. He is the player Edu and Arteta have identified as the one who can take this Arsenal team forward through the middle of the park.
"You always feel like you want to get a bargain, but this always felt like a deal that was £100m plus.
"Rice had been offered big contracts by West Ham, he wanted to play things out and see how things developed and the opportunities that arose.
"There's no questioning his ability. He had standout performances for England, he played as a double pivot with Jordan Henderson and looked superb.
"Everyone will look at West Ham will feel like he deserves his opportunity to play at the highest possible level and he'll go with their blessing."
Sky Sport News reporter Mark McAdam on the Transfer Show:
"Given the nature of what's happening and how quickly things have progressed from Arsenal's initial offer to their offer being rejected and now Man City potentially being at the table, I think we could see a resolution quite quickly.
"I don't think this will go on and on. We've got to a point now where Arsenal are clearly getting close to where West Ham want to be.
"I think it will be around £100m plus £20m in add-ons to get the deal done.
"If Man City feel that they can get that deal done, they'll get it done. It will then be up to Arsenal to match it.
"I don't think Man Utd can quite get to the table with those kinds of figures at this stage.
"But interestingly, Declan has his heart set on Arsenal, staying in London and that's what he envisaged happening this summer.
"But Man City are treble winners with Pep Guardiola so that team will surely turn his head."
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
