Arsenal have reportedly made an improved verbal bid for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz worth approximately £60m.
The Germany international has often flattered to deceive in West London since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 and could be allowed to leave for a suitable fee this summer.
Havertz's contract at Stamford Bridge only has two years left to run, and he is believed to be a prime target for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ahead of the Gunners' return to the Champions League.
The 24-year-old's versatility and experience of top-level European football both appeal to the Gunners manager, and Arsenal apparently came forward with a first bid of £50m last week.
Chelsea, who are supposedly holding out for as much as £70m-£75m to part ways with Havertz, rebuffed Arsenal's advances, but according to the Daily Mail, a new verbal offer is on the table.
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The report states that Arsenal have upped their bid to £60m including add-ons and remain hopeful of striking a deal for less than Chelsea's rumoured asking price.
Chelsea would receive £55m of that fee upfront with an additional £5m in performance-related bonuses, and Havertz already has a "broad agreement" over personal terms with Arsenal.
The former Leverkusen man would receive at least £210,000 per week on a long-term deal in North London, and Arteta is said to be personally pushing for a move given Havertz's ability to play across the front line.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were both said to be keeping a close eye on the situation too, but Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has confirmed that his side will make no further signings this summer after the loan capture of Joselu from Espanyol.
Meanwhile, Bayern are also understood to have cooled their interest in Havertz, who has registered 32 goals and 15 assists from 139 matches in a Chelsea shirt, often featuring in a centre-forward position.
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Havertz only managed nine goals in 47 appearances last term as Chelsea finished 11th in the Premier League table, but that tally saw him finish joint-top of the Blues' scoring charts alongside Raheem Sterling.
Alternatively, Arteta could deploy Havertz as a number eight in his midfield trident, where the Gunners are working to secure upgrades for the upcoming campaign ahead of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey's possible exits.
Xhaka is poised to return to Germany in a £13m switch to Bayer Leverkusen, while clubs in Italy and Saudi Arabia are thought to be weighing up approaches for Partey.
Arsenal are said to be preparing a £90m offer for West Ham United's Declan Rice after falling short with a £80m bid, but the Hammers are standing firm on their £120m asking price.
Talks are also believed to be progressing with the representatives of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, but Arsenal are yet to make a bid for the Belgian starlet.
Ben Knapton
