Arsenal Transfers: Gunners set to complete first summer signing

Arsenal are closing in on making their first signing of the 2023 summer transfer window after the club agreed a deal in principle with Chelsea for Kai Havertz.

While the Gunners are keen to reshuffle their midfield pack this summer and are hoping to secure the services of West Ham captain Declan Rice, greater depth is required in the front line and Havertz, who excelled as a #10 at Bayer Leverkusen but primarily operated as a striker for Chelsea, has evidently piqued the interest of Mikel Arteta, who greatly values versatility.

The club’s intention to sign Havertz became clear last week, and after agreeing personal terms with the player, they’re now closing in on completing their first signing of the summer after reaching an agreement with Chelsea.

Gunners set to complete first summer signing

David Ornstein was one of several reporters to break the news on Wednesday afternoon, with Arsenal set to pay Chelsea £60m plus £5m in bonuses for the 24-year-old’s services.

Fabrizio Romano adds that Havertz will sign a long-term deal in north London, with the player undergoing his medical in the coming days.

Arsenal are certainly taking a risk by acquiring the languid German given his struggles in the Premier League, but many supporters are trusting Arteta, who has an excellent track record of identifying players that’ll fit and excel within his framework.

While it’s unclear whether the boss views Havertz as a potential alternative to Gabriel Jesus up top or a replacement for Granit Xhaka in the left-sided advanced #8 role, there’s no doubt Arteta appreciates the German’s positional flexibility.

There’s plenty of talent for the Spaniard to work with and, overall, this seems like a move which could suit all parties. Although, Arsenal are certainly spending more on the German than what fans hoped.

Nevertheless, Havertz looks set to become the club’s first summer signing and only time will tell whether Arteta’s talent ID strikes again. Once the German’s signature is secure, the Gunners are poised to hasten their pursuits of Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.