Kai Havertz becomes Arsenal’s highest earner

German forward Kai Havertz has reportedly become Arsenal’s highest earner following his move from Chelsea, solidifying the Gunners’ ambitions to strengthen their squad.

The deal, worth £65 million, saw the 24-year-old sign a five-year contract with Arsenal after spending three seasons at Stamford Bridge, where he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £71 million.

While Havertz’s performances at Chelsea may have been inconsistent, with 19 goals in 91 Premier League appearances, he etched his name in history by scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.

Now, Havertz joins Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side as they strive to build upon their recent qualification for the Champions League, a feat they achieved after a six-year absence from the prestigious competition.

Arsenal’s ambitious transfer plans don’t end with Havertz, as they have also agreed to a substantial £105 million deal with West Ham for the acquisition of talented midfielder Declan Rice. Additionally, the Gunners are closing in on a £40 million signing of Ajax’s promising defender Jurrien Timber.

However, Arsenal’s spending spree extends beyond transfer fees. After a period of financial prudence and cost-cutting measures, the club is now ready to invest significantly in player wages. According to German newspaper Bild, Arsenal is prepared to offer salaries that rival those of top-tier players, with Havertz being the first beneficiary of this new approach.

Bild reports that Havertz is set to earn an impressive weekly wage of £330,000, a figure that is expected to rise further with the inclusion of performance-based bonuses.

This makes Havertz the highest earner at Arsenal since the departure of Mesut Ozil, who had held that distinction for some time. Previously, it was reported that midfielder Thomas Partey was the highest earner at the club, earning just under £200,000 per week.

However, recent contract renewals, including Bukayo Saka’s deal, have brought several players closer to Partey’s wage level.

Nevertheless, Havertz’s reported salary significantly surpasses the rest of the squad, with Declan Rice allegedly offered a comparable wage.

Meanwhile, it is believed that Jurrien Timber’s contract will not include such a lucrative salary package, indicating a more measured approach for the Ajax defender. Similarly, Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia, another transfer target for Arsenal, is expected to receive a more modest salary.

With these bold moves in the transfer market and an emphasis on bolstering player wages, Arsenal is signaling their intent to compete at the highest level.

The Gunners aim to harness the talents of Havertz and their incoming signings to propel the club back to its former glory and once again challenge for domestic and European honors.

Football enthusiasts and Arsenal fans eagerly await the unveiling of Havertz in the famous red and white jersey, as the German star prepares to make a significant impact on the team’s fortunes in the upcoming season.