Havertz asks club for transfer

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz has asked to leave the Stamford Bridge outfit, and insisted that he will not be signing a new contract amidst interest from London rivals Arsenal. The Gunners have already had two offers rejected for the German international, but are increasingly likely to sign one of their top targets before the transfer window closes.

Chelsea are said to be open to allowing the player to leave, as long as a club matches their £60 million valuation, and the 24-year-old is seen as crucial to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's long-term ambitions for the Emirates outfit.

Bayern Munich are also amongst the teams monitoring Havertz's contract situation, but Arsenal are in pole position to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen star.

Arsenal see Havertz as a potential right wing backup for Bukayo Saka, but also a long-term successor to the outgoing Granit Xhaka in the number 8 role at the club. Last season, Havertz adopted a lone forward role at Chelsea.

The Blues could face issues if they do not sell players to balance the books, and a number of players could leave Stamford Bridge this summer alongside Havertz, such as Mason Mount.