Arsenal express interest in 23-year-old but Chelsea’s £70m valuation proving to be key stumbling block amid Real Madrid interest

Arsenal have joined the list of suitors interested in Kai Havertz this summer, but they are set to hand Chelsea the same asking price issue which could hinder Real Madrid’s pursuit.

Havertz is out of contract in the summer of 2025 and Chelsea have reportedly handed the attacker an ultimatum ahead of the 2023/24 season. Havertz has to either extend his current deal or face being sold.

Bayern Munich have expressed interest in the past, but it’s Real Madrid who are leading the interest this summer, with Havertz reportedly keen on a move to the Bernabeu for a fresh start.

Real Madrid value Havertz at around £50 million but Chelsea’s valuation is £20 million more at £70 million. Chelsea paid Bayer Leverkusen £72 million for the Germany international three summers ago when they landed him for a then club-record fee.

Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reports Arsenal are now ‘monitoring developments’, with Real Madrid and ‘at least two other clubs’ showing interest.

However, Chelsea’s current asking price is currently putting off suitors. It’s claimed that clubs believe Havertz’s desire to leave ‘will drive down his price’, which now hands the Blues with a decision to make.

The Chelsea hierarchy will need to decide whether they are willing to compromise on the fee for Havertz to offload him for a sizeable figure, or risk the 23-year-old running down his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Newly-appointed head coach Mauricio Pochettino is targeting Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, according to reports, after missing out on Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte after Chelsea withdrew from the race.

Chelsea return to Cobham next month for the beginning of pre-season and Pochettino will be hoping a considerable amount of business to reduce his bloated squad is completed between then and the window opening on June 14.