Kai Havertz 'becomes Arsenal's highest earner' as contract offer revealed after Chelsea move

Kai Havertz has become Arsenal’s highest earner after sealing a move from Chelsea, it has been claimed.

The Gunners signed the Germany forward on a five-year deal worth £65million on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old had spent three years at Stamford Bridge after joining from Bayer Leverkusen for £71million.

And while Havertz flattered to deceive for much of his time at Chelsea, netting just 19 goals in 91 Premier League appearances, he hit the winner in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.

Havertz moves across London as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his Arsenal side following their qualification to the Champions League for the first time in six years.

In addition to Havertz, the Gunners have agreed to a £105million deal with West Ham to sign Declan Rice and are closing in on the £40million signing of Ajax’s Jurrien Timber.

However, Arsenal are not merely splashing the cash on transfer fees. They are also spending significantly more on wages after several years of cost-cutting.

Havertz’s Arsenal wages

According to German newspaper Bild, Arsenal are prepared to dish out salaries befitting of elite players and Havertz is the first beneficiary.

The outlet claimed Havertz is set to earn a salary of £330,000-a-week, with that figure likely to increase when bonuses are factored in.

The reported salary makes Havertz Arsenal’s highest earner since Mesut Ozil.

Thomas Partey had reportedly been the club’s highest earner, sitting apart from the rest of the squad on a wage of just under £200,000-a-week.

Yet, new deals for the likes of Bukayo Saka had brought more players in line with Partey’s wage.

However, Havertz is said to be earning significantly more, while Rice has allegedly been offered a virtually identical salary, as per the Metro.

Timber, who is on the cusp of joining from Ajax, will reportedly not be offered as lucrative a salary as his fellow signings.

Meanwhile, another target, Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia, will also be on a more modest salary.