Arsenal are interested in Kai Havertz and will move for the Chelsea star after luring Declan Rice

Arsenal are interested in pursuing a move for Chelsea star Kai Havertz this summer and will turn their attention to the German after luring Declan Rice to the Emirates.

The Gunners, who plan to finalise a deal with the West Ham captain by end of this week, are preparing for another busy summer of transfer business having taken great strides in their pursuit of the Premier League title last season.

Mail Sport understands that Arsenal are keen on Havertz and will look to prize the 24-year-old away from Stamford Bridge after Rice puts pen to paper in north London.

Havertz was a regular fixture in Chelsea’s front line throughout last season, and Blues co-owner Todd Boehly is not eager to sell the Germany international cheaply. 

Arsenal, who will be expected to fork out a considerable transfer sum to land Havertz this summer, plan to reassess their budget after splashing out on Rice for a expected fee worth north of £100million.

Arsenal are interested in pursuing a summer move for Chelsea and Germany star Kai Havertz

But Blues co-owner Todd Boehly does not plan to part with the German international cheaply

Mikel Arteta’s side led the Premier League for much of last season and came closest to rivalling Treble-winners Manchester City, finishing five points behind the champions.

The Emirates chiefs plan to close the gap to City by bringing in a centre-back as well, although this position is not being viewed as a priority.

During the second half of last season, Arsenal were forced to adapt for three months without star striker Gabriel Jesus, who was the Gunners’ marquee signing of 2022.

Havertz has shown he is capable of playing both as an attacking midfielder and a lone forward at Chelsea, and his positional versatility could be a useful commodity at the Emirates next season.

The German star netted nine goals in 47 appearances across all competitions last season as Chelsea struggled under interim boss Frank Lampard and former head coaches Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.

The Blues finished their miserable campaign in 12th, capping off the Premier League season with four successive matches without a win.

Mikel Arteta is preparing for another busy summer of transfer activity after a promising season

Chelsea were initially in the race to sign Rice from West Ham, who lifted the Europa Conference League last week, but have since accepted they will miss out on the former Blues academy graduate following a disappointing campaign.

Manchester United were also interested in the England midfielder and at one stage seemed the frontrunners to sign him, but it appears Arsenal are in the process of finalising a deal.

Meanwhile, Rice’s close friend and fellow England team-mate Mason Mount is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to agree an extension with the Blues.

Liverpool reportedly dropped out of the race to sign Mount this week due to Chelsea’s hefty £80m asking price, indicating how keen Boehly is to keep his high-profile stars in west London.

Meanwhile, Inter will have to make permanent moves in order to sign Romelu Lukaku or Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Italians are keen on both Chelsea players, along with defender Trevoh Chalobah.

Mail Sport understands Inter have already been informed that Chalobah is not available on an initial loan and the Londoners also have no interest in letting the Champions League runners up take either striker Lukaku or defender Koulibaly on temporary deals.

Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter while Chelsea are open to offloading Koulibaly after just one year at Stamford Bridge following his move last summer from Napoli.

Inter’s interest in Chelsea’s players comes as the former have the Serie A side’s Andre Onana as one of their leading goalkeeper targets.

AC Milan’s Mike Maignan has also been looked at though it is thought that Chelsea’s lack of European football would represent an obstacle.

Brighton’s Robert Sanchez, who was mentored into a Premier League goalkeeper by Chelsea coach Ben Roberts, and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili are two others who have also been considered.

Resolving the futures of their two most senior goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy is a priority for Chelsea and whether they find any takers will impact their plans for the position with the prospect of new head coach Mauricio Pochettino starting the season with the Spaniard not ruled out.