Chelsea forward Kai Havertz has allegedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Arsenal.
The Germany international has endured a mixed three years at Stamford Bridge, scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final during his first season but failing to perform with any consistency throughout his time at the club.
Havertz has still chipped in with 32 goals and 15 assists from his 139 appearances in all competitions, but that is regarded as below-par given his role down the centre of the attack.
Up until recently, it was expected that the 23-year-old was guaranteed to be part of Mauricio Pochettino's first-team squad for the 2023-24 campaign.
However, recent reports have linked Havertz with a switch to Real Madrid, who need to make a number of attacking additions to replace the players that have already departed the Santiago Bernabeu.
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As it stands, it is unclear whether Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is prepared to pay Havertz's asking price, allegedly in the region of £70m.
While Real would stand to benefit from the player's versatility at a time when they are short of strength-in-depth, Havertz has not justified the fee that Chelsea paid - in a similar bracket - since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.
According to The Telegraph, Arsenal may be prepared to involve themselves in the race to sign Havertz during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have money to spend after securing a return to the Champions League, the bulk of it likely to be spent on defensive and midfield areas.
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Nevertheless, the report suggests that Arsenal's hierarchy sense an opportunity to take advantage of Chelsea's need to sell players as soon as possible in order to fulfil FFP criteria.
That said, it is said that neither Real or Arsenal are willing to pay in excess of £50m for Havertz, leaving Chelsea to deliberate over whether they are prepared to soften their stance.
Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are believed to be insistent that their valuation of other players, such as Mason Mount, is met, even though Mount has 12 months fewer on his contract than Havertz.
Although it has been alleged that a contract ultimatum has been handed to Havertz, it remains doubtful whether bids of £50m would be considered at this stage.
Darren Plant
