Chelsea are open to selling Kai Havertz but are demanding £70m (DeFodi Images via Getty)
Arsenal are refusing to meet Chelsea’s £70 million asking price for Kai Havertz, according to reports.
The Gunners have now begun talks to sign the Germany international this summer and are hoping to complete a deal after securing a move for West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Havertz has two years left on his contract with Chelsea but is open to leaving Stamford bridge this summer.
According to The Times, Chelsea plan to sell Havertz if he does not sign a contract extension but Arsenal are unwilling to meet his £70m valuation.
The report claims that Chelsea are also holding out for the same £70m fee for Mason Mount after rejecting Manchester United’s opening offer of £40m.
Kai Havertz is keen to leave Chelsea this summer (GES Sportfoto/Getty)
Meanwhile, the Evening Standard reports that Arsenal would be willing to match Havertz’s £250,000-a-week salary, while Chelsea are desperate to sell players before the end of the month so that the funds can be included in their 2022-23 financial accounts.
The report also claims that Chelsea would be opening to doing business with Arsenal for Havertz, despite suggestions that they could be strengthening a direct rival.
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Havertz joined Chelsea in a £71m deal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020.
The 24-year-old scored the winning goal in the Champions League final in his first season at Stamford Bridge and has 32 goals in 139 appearances for the club.
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Chelsea’s stance could soften.