Arsenal hope to seal £60m Kai Havertz deal but Bayern Munich also in race

Arsenal are confident Chelsea’s need to sell will force them to accept £60m for Kai Havertz, but they will have to fend off interest from Bayern Munich.

Havertz’s asking price has been set at £70m and Arsenal have already had one offer rejected. However, Chelsea are willing to sell the 23-year-old, who has informed them of his desire to leave this summer, and they will hope Bayern’s decision to enter the race pushes up the German forward’s price.

Chelsea are under pressure to raise funds this summer and are braced for Manchester United to make a second offer for Mason Mount after failing with an opening bid of £40m for the midfielder. Mount is out of contract next year and United believe they can get the England international for £50m.

Havertz, who joined Chelsea for £62.5m three years ago, is in a similar situation. His contract expires in two years and he does not intend to sign an extension. Chelsea have a policy of selling players whose contracts are running out and Arsenal are ready to match Havertz’s current wages, which are around £220,000 a week.

Arsenal, who are also pushing to strengthen their midfield with West Ham’s Declan Rice and Southampton’s Roméo Lavia, are in the driving seat. They are preparing to increase their offer for Havertz, who would be happy to join Mikel Arteta’s side and stay in London, and believe that £60m will convince Chelsea to sell. Arsenal are looking for more depth up front and are offering Havertz a fresh start after a difficult season at Stamford Bridge.

However, the situation has been complicated by Bayern’s interest. The Bundesliga champions have lacked incision since losing Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona last year but their search for a No 9 is threatening to end in frustration. Moves for Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen have not taken off.

Havertz in action at the Emirates Stadium in May as Chelsea lost 3-1. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Bayern have switched their focus to a player who can operate in a variety of roles and have made contact with Havertz’s camp. Havertz has regularly filled in as a false 9 for Chelsea and wants more opportunities to demonstrate his creativity in a deeper role. Bayern’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, knows the former Bayer Leverkusen player from his time in charge of Chelsea.

The Tuchel factor has not prevented Arsenal from remaining favourites to sign Havertz. There will be disappointment if the Germany international moves on after joining Chelsea to much fanfare. He has lacked consistency since moving to England, scoring 32 goals in 139 appearances. Havertz’s class is not in doubt, however, and he established himself as a Chelsea hero after scoring the winner in the Champions League final in 2021 and the Club World Cup final last year.