Reports: Arsenal ready to focus on signing ‘exceptional’ forward after Rice

Arsenal are ready to ramp up their move for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz once Declan Rice has arrived in North London.

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz will become Arsenal’s next big target after Declan Rice completes his move from West Ham United.

That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Arsenal will soon turn their attention to signing Havertz.

It’s claimed that Arsenal plan to finalise a deal to sign West Ham star Rice by the end of this week.

Mikel Arteta and co still want more new additions though and Havertz is now emerging as a prime target for the Gunners.

The Telegraph add that Arsenal are prepared to step up their chase of Havertz – but only if Chelsea bring down their price tag.

Chelsea currently want £70million for Havertz and Arsenal seemingly aren’t willing to pay that kind of money.

Real Madrid feel similarly and are only prepared to offer £50million for Havertz as a replacement for Karim Benzema.

Maybe a fee in the middle, somewhere around £60million, will end up being enough to lure Havertz away from Stamford Bridge.

Where would Kai Havertz fit in for Arsenal?

Havertz was a massive addition for Chelsea in 2020.

The German had excelled in the Bundesliga, racking up 46 goals and 31 assists in 150 games for Bayer Leverkusen.

Matching that form at Chelsea has been difficult, with Havertz bagging 32 goals and 15 assists in 139 outings.

One of the problems has been finding a position.

Havertz was moved around a lot at Leverkusen but mostly played in from the right flank or as an attacking midfielder.

There have been comparisons to Thomas Muller in terms of being a ‘raumdeuter’, somebody who exploits spaces rather than playing a fixed role.

That role is more popular in Germany than it is in England and Havertz hasn’t quite nailed down a proper position at Chelsea.

Arsenal would maybe see Havertz as a striker, able to drop in and drift wide as Gabriel Jesus has under Mikel Arteta.

Yet Havertz’s versatility means that he could also offer cover and competition for Bukayo Saka down the right flank.

If absolutely needed, Havertz would also be able to play as an advanced midfielder with the job of breaking into the box.

Havertz maybe makes more sense for Mikel Arteta’s approach than for Mauricio Pochettino’s, even if his hard work and pressing will suit both.

Hailed as an ‘exceptional’ talent by Jamie Redknapp, Havertz hasn’t quite worked out as hoped for Chelsea despite scoring the winner in the 2021 Champions League final.

A fresh start could help Havertz and the 24-year-old may soon trade West London for North London.