Arsenal splash out over US$200m on Rice and Havertz
Kai Havertz completed a move across London on Wednesday by joining Arsenal from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth 65 million pounds (US$82 million). Arsenal said the Germany international had joined on a “long-term contract.” The 24-year-old forward became Mikel Arteta's first signing of the summer, but shortly after the British press reported the London club had agreed to pay 105 million pounds (US$126 million) for West Ham's England midfielder Declan Rice. Arteta is aiming to strengthen this summer after suffering the pain of finishing runners-up last season. Arsenal led the table for much of the campaign, but fell away during the run-in to allow Manchester City to win a third straight league championship. “You have probably already seen it.. But now ‘officially’ I’m a Gunner,” Havertz tweeted, adding a heart emoji. However, he will forever be a Chelsea icon after scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final and last year's Club World Cup triumph. But he ultimately failed to live up to expectations at the club that he could become one of Europe's top players, leading to his departure after three years at Stamford Bridge. Havertz joined Chelsea for US$92 million from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 as part of a major recruitment drive. He made 139 appearances in all competitions and scored 32 goals — none more important than his Champions League final strike against Man City. (AFP)