Arsenal sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea and look set to add Declan Rice
By PA Sport Staff
Arsenal have signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea on a “long-term contract” and have reportedly moved closer to sealing a deal for West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Havertz joins after three years with the Blues, during which he made 139 appearances, scoring 32 goals, including the winner in the 2021 Champions League final.
The news regarding the 24-year-old Germany international comes as it was reported that Arsenal had also agreed a £105million fee with West Ham for Rice.
We keep moving forward.
Kai Havertz is a Gunner ❤️ pic.twitter.com/76j5BStw9e— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 28, 2023
Havertz said on Arsenal’s official website: “It’s super exciting for me to be joining this amazing club and to be part of the Arsenal family. This club has such a big history, and I hope we can achieve lots of things.
“The mentality in the Arsenal squad is very high and you can feel that. That was one of the reasons why it has been so hard to play against Arsenal recently.
“The aim is to win trophies and I’m going to give everything to do that for the supporters and everyone at the club. I’m now looking forward to meeting all the players and the staff when we come back for pre-season.”
The former Bayer Leverkusen player posted a message on social media bidding farewell to Chelsea, saying he was writing “with a heavy heart…saying goodbye to the club that has become my second home, and to the incredible fans who have supported me throughout this amazing journey.”
Dear @ChelseaFC,
I would have preferred for you to hear my thoughts on leaving Chelsea first from myself before my thoughts on me joining my new team. This isn’t my style and it upsets me that you had to hear of it in this way.
I write this letter with a heavy heart to all… pic.twitter.com/Irnppj9kSE— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) June 28, 2023
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “Kai is a player of top quality. He has great versatility and is an intelligent player. He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield and variety to our play.
“We welcome Kai and his family to Arsenal Football Club and we are all excited to start working with him when we start pre-season training soon.”
Havertz’s signing could soon be followed by England midfielder Rice, with an agreement reportedly reached over a fee for the midfielder after two previous approaches were rebuffed by West Ham.
Manchester City ended their interest in Rice after Arsenal’s third bid.
It is believed Arsenal offered £100m and a further £5m in potential add-ons. It would make Rice the most expensive British player of all time and eclipse Arsenal’s previous record transfer.
Meanwhile, a move for Ajax full-back Jurrien Timber is still being worked on as Arsenal aim to improve a squad that finished second in the Premier League last season, five points behind Pep Guardiola’s treble-winners City.
