Topics: Arsenal, Kai Havertz, Chelsea, Premier League, Transfers
Arsenal could hand Kai Havertz his dream shirt number if they manage to sign him from Chelsea this summer.
The Athletic's David Ornstein reported on Wednesday that the Gunners had made an 'opening proposal' to the Blues for the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.
Chelsea signed Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for a fee of £75 million, and The Guardian report they want £70 million to sell him on.
Another issue for the Blues is FFP, with football finance expert Kieran Maguire telling The Times that the club may need to sell players to comply with regulations this summer. They have until June 30 to sell players in order for their sale figures to count in the upcoming set of FFP calculations.
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Havertz did score the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final, but has netted 19 times across three seasons in the Premier League while largely playing as a centre forward.
But Mikel Arteta will back himself to get the best out of the German international - and could hand him the perfect welcome gift.
Havertz currently wears the number 29 for Chelsea - the same number he wore at Bayer Leverkusen.
But it isn't a matter of the shirt number simply being the one available. Instead, the 24-year-old has a specific reason for choosing that specific number.
In an interview with The Athletic in 2021, Havertz explained: "When I was young, I always used to play FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer with my brother.
"We always made ourselves in the game. My brother always put number 29 on his shirt.
"When I came to the professional game and Leverkusen asked me what number I wanted to have, I asked them which numbers were free. When they said 29, I said I'd take it because of my brother.
"Sometimes it's lucky for me, sometimes not. But I like the number and now I think everybody knows me for it."
The shirt number 29 has had a mixed history of success at Arsenal. It was worn by Ashley Cole during his early years at the club, as well as current star Granit Xhaka for two seasons.
Other players to have worn the number (via Transfermarkt) include Jermaine Pennant, Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Marouane Chamakh and Matteo Guendouzi.
