- 9 hours ago
Revealed: The Chelsea player Arsenal REALLY wanted
Robin Bairner
- 16 Jun 2023 11:53 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal might be closing in on a move for Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz, but the Gunners were not initially targeting a transfer for the Germany international, according to David Ornstein.
The two London clubs have been locked in the transfer market all year, starting with the Blues pinching Mykhailo Mudryk from their neighbours in January. Also that month, Jorginho left Stamford Bridge to join the Premier League runners-up
It appears that Chelsea will perform a similar hijack trick with Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo this summer, but Arsenal are poised to win the race for West Ham’s Declan Rice.
MORE: Arsenal’s THREE positive updates over Rice transfer
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta is making plan to raid Chelsea for Havertz – but the forward was not the player he first wanted to sign.
“Arsenal initially targeted Mason Mount, but once it emerged that his preference is to join Manchester United, the focus shifted to Kai Havertz,” David Ornstein has revealed.
MORE: ‘Pulisic streets ahead of €100m fraud Mudryk’ – Chelsea fans fume after USA vs Mexico CHAOS
Mount transfer latest
Mount has been the subject of significant transfer speculation for weeks, with his contract at Stamford Bridge set to expire in June 2024, making him liable to depart for a fee this summer if no new deal is signed.
The England midfielder had attracted the attention of the Premier League’s leading clubs and was linked to Liverpool as well as Arsenal, but Manchester United are presently in pole position to sign him.
The Red Devils, however, have been frustrated by the stalling takeover of the club, which has prevented manager Erik ten Hag putting forward a bid acceptable to Chelsea.
As such, Mount remains stuck in limbo.
While it is theoretically possible that Arsenal could return for the Chelsea midfield, Rice is their primary focus in the transfer market at present, with Havertz set to offer long-time admirer Arteta a new option in his attack should the deal be completed.
