Arsenal’s five-man transfer shortlist before signing Kai Havertz revealed including England star and bargain buy

10 months ago 70

ARSENAL reportedly had eight other names on their transfer wishlist before swooping to sign Kai Havertz.

The German international arrived at the Emirates from Chelsea in a £65m deal over the summer.

Mikel Arteta had Kai Havertz to thank for Arsenal’s win at Brentford[/caption]

Having played as a forward with the Blues, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta revealed that he was planning to deploy the 24-year-old in a new position.

He was desperate to strengthen his midfield ahead of the new campaign, and with Declan Rice coming in as to play the holder, Havertz has been deployed in a No.8 role just ahead of him.

The star has struggled to impress in that position and had produced just one goal and assist in his first 19 appearances for the North London club.

After calls from Arsenal legends to replace him in midfield, Havertz silenced some of his critics with the late goal to seal Saturday’s 1-0 win at Brentford to move his team top of the league.

However, now a list of other potential players that Arteta wanted for the No.8 position has allegedly been revealed.

The Athletic Football Podcast states that Havertz is highly-rated by everybody at his new club.

But Arteta and Gunners transfer chief Edu did have other targets in mind – including an England international.

It claims that Mason Mount, who also left Chelsea for Manchester United in a £60m move this summer, was one.

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Experienced German star Ilkay Gundogan, who quit Manchester City to join Barcelona on a free transfer once his contract expired, was another.

The 33-year-old captained the Cityzens to the treble last term and his addition would undoubtedly have proven to be a bargain.

Mohammed Kudus, the 23-year-old Ghana international, was also on the list and they were linked with him for several weeks throughout the transfer window.

He eventually ended up getting a move from Ajax to the Premier League when West Ham forked out £35m to sign him and has shone for the Hammers so far this season.

And the other person on that list is a man they have held a long-term interest in.

That player is Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, 26, who has 51 caps for Italy.

He was believed to be rated at around £43m and the Gunners were linked with him first back in 2019 after sending scouts to watch him at Cagliari.