Transfer news: Chelsea and Arsenal may well both find themselves happy with the move of Kai Havertz as Mikel Arteta plans for new striker.
Transfers that make total sense for all parties rarely occur in modern football. There are too many egos to impress, sums of money unthinkable to count at play and simply everyone looking to gain an advantage.
Selling clubs do not always want to let their players go. Buyers are not keen to over pay, wages cause issues, agents are added obstacles to bypass and there's now more and more PR at play.
Chelsea and Arsenal have managed to hit the spot with their latest negotiations. In recent years the moves for Petr Cech, David Luiz and Willian have been all in Chelsea's favour. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, via Barcelona, was a rare win for Arsenal in these transactions but going back it has rarely benefitted the Gunners.
Even for an initial £62million ($78.8million) at the time, the 20-year-old was seen as a wise investment. His goals in Bundesliga, national recognition and languid ease with his play made him one of the most exciting talents in the game. For him to only score 19 times in the league in three full seasons - playing most games during that time - and still move for a price bringing Chelsea parity, shows just how much he is admired.
"He is a talented player, versatile and only 24 years old."
Nicolas Jackson will come in but is inexperienced at the top level and extremely raw. Strikers are being actively pursued but no breakthrough has been made. Meanwhile the Gunners have found a player within their age remit that can offer flexibility as well as aerial presence.
He is far from the natural No.9 that was missing in 2022/23 but has shown the quality at times to suggest there are still gears and consistent levels for him to climb through. If Arteta can harness that and bring some of the sparks to flourish more often then they have gotten themselves a fine deal for a player with European pedigree.
Having been valued at £77.6million ($98.6million) according to Transfermarkt Chelsea before moving to England, that has now dropped to just £47.4million ($60million) now. In that sense the Blues will be happy to generate such a price back for him given his total lack of assurance in the side throughout his years.
The high point reached in his early 20s does demonstrate the skill that Arsenal see within him. Compare this to the value put on Havertz currently by CIES football observatory of £68.9million ($87.5million), and they will say their payment is justified at this point.
Chelsea, though, will point to his struggles at the centre of an attack as reason to take the money and run. Both sides may well be right in this case, too, and that is a rare occurrence.