Kai Havertz will give Arsenal strength in depth for a number of different positions as Mikel Arteta’s side close in on an agreement to sign the Germany international from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
That is according to Danny Murphy; the former Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder reacting to a Wednesday morning update from The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Arsenal, Ornstein writes, are on the verge of sealing a £65 million deal for a player who has largely underwhelmed during three hit-and-miss seasons at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz arrives at Arsenal on the back of just 19 goals in 91 Premier League games. As Murphy points out, £65 million is ‘a lot of money’ to spend on a man who has not come close to realising the enormous potential he showed in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen.
But Havertz’s balletic talents and his tactical flexibility, Murphy adds, could still come in very handy for an Arsenal side who’s calendar is about to get a whole lot busier; Champions League football on it’s way back to the Emirates.
Arsenal set to seal Kai Havertz deal with Chelsea
“He’s a talent. I like him,” Murphy tells talkSPORT (21 June, 11am).
“He is elegant, he’s got a great touch. He’s a good link player. The question is; ‘Where he will play?’.
“In an Arsenal team, there is a few positions. He can play wide, he can play in (Martin) Odegaard’s position. Also if he’s thinking of Arteta’s time with Pep (Guardiola at Manchester City), he (might) play as a third midfielder with him and Odegaard ahead of, in an ideal world, Declan Rice.”
Havertz was utilised largely as a centre-forward during his final two seasons at Chelsea. The languid, balletic 24-year-old proved to be far more effective in an attacking midfield role with Leverkusen, however; Havertz at his best when making late runs into the penalty area rather than holding his position in the centre.
“He will give them quality,” Murphy adds. “He is young. Arteta will think he can improve him. He’s got the talent to get better and become an influential player.
“It’s a lot of money but they are going to need strength in depth. And he can play as a nine!”
Ornstein adds that personal terms are already in place. Focus will now turn to scheduling a medical.
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