Kai Havertz: Arsenal agree £65m deal with Chelsea for German forward

Arsenal have agreed a deal with Chelsea worth around £65m for Germany international forward Kai Havertz.

It is understood the clubs have made an agreement in principle that will allow the player to discuss personal terms and have a medical.

The fee for Havertz, who scored nine goals in 47 games for the Blues last season, could rise with add-ons.

Havertz, 24, joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for a deal worth about £71m.

He also scored the winning goal for Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.

Havertz is set to move across London as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his Arsenal team following qualification for the Champions League.

Arsenal are also chasing England midfielder Declan Rice, the West Ham captain, but a second bid for the 24-year-old – worth up to £90m – was rejected on Tuesday.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are seeking to reduce their squad size and have also agreed a £30m deal with Manchester City for Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 29. Another midfielder, France international N’Golo Kante, 32, has agreed to sign for Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad when his contract expires at the end of June.

The new ownership at Chelsea want to avoid letting players enter the final two years of their deals and Havertz, whose contract runs out in 2025, has not agreed an extension at the club.

Ilkay Gundogan to join Barcelona from Man City on free transfer – sources

• Barcelona have reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Ilkay Gundogan as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Gundogan, 32, has agreed a two-year deal with Barca with an option for a third year, turning down an offer to extend his seven-season stay at City as well as proposals from Premier League side Arsenal and clubs in Saudi Arabia, sources said.

The deal is pending the results of a physical, which Gundogan underwent on Wednesday, sources said.

Barcelona’s ongoing financial issues meant they explored the free agent market, and in March ESPN revealed that Barca were in talks with the Germany international.

Sources told ESPN that City were unwilling to match Barca’s financial offer, and would only extend a contract for one year with an option for a second.

Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie both arrived on free transfers last summer, while sources have told ESPN that defender Inigo Martinez is also set to join Barca following the expiry of his contract with Athletic Club this month.

Gundogan arrives at Barca after coach Xavi Hernandez expressed a desire to improve the side’s creativity and goal count from midfield after missing out on Lionel Messi, who will join Inter Miami.

Xavi felt Barca struggled last season when Pedri was injured, and Gundogan is seen as someone who can help take the load off the young Spain midfielder.

Barca value the former Borussia Dortmund player’s versatility in the middle of the pitch, particularly his ability to operate in a deeper role — although sources have said the club would still prefer to bring in a direct replacement for the departing Sergio Busquets.

Gundogan is calling time on his spell at City after captaining the English side to a historic treble, culminating in their first Champions League trophy earlier this month.

The midfielder scored 11 goals in 51 appearances this season, including a brace in the FA Cup final against Manchester United.

Man City, Chelsea agree to £30m fee for Mateo Kovacic – sources

Watch: Chelsea have agreed €30m fee for Mateo Kovacic – Sources by Inside Port Harcourt

• Manchester City and Chelsea have agreed to a fee for midfielder Mateo Kovacic, sources told ESPN.

City are set to pay £25 million ($32m) up front for the Croatia international, with another £5m ($6m) due in add-ons.

Sources have told ESPN that Chelsea were initially hoping to agree a deal worth closer to £35m ($44m) but reduced their demands in order to reach an agreement before June 30. Outgoings completed before then will fall under the first full tax year and help Chelsea comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.

Kovacic will undergo a medical before joining Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of City’s preseason tour of Japan and South Korea, which begins at the end of July.

City have moved quickly for Kovacic to bolster their midfield after missing out on a deal for Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund.

Guardiola and director of football Txiki Begiristain are still hoping to convince Ilkay Gundogan to stay despite interest from Barcelona and Arsenal, while there are also doubts about Bernardo Silva’s future at the Etihad.

Gundogan will officially become a free agent June 30 and has contract offers on the table from both City and Barca.

Silva is under contract until 2025 but is keen for a new challenge after six years in England. Sources have told ESPN he has interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain but that City will demand a significant fee before allowing him to leave.

City, according to sources, also hold an interest in West Ham’s Declan Rice but are yet to table a bid. Arsenal have already had two offers for the England midfielder knocked back.

Sources have told ESPN that West Ham are keen to explore a deal for Rice with City that would see Kalvin Phillips move to the London Stadium.

Phillips struggled for opportunities in his first season at the Etihad but has said he wants to stay and fight for his place. West Ham boss David Moyes previously tried to sign Phillips during his time at Leeds United.