It is now entirely possible that Arsenal will instead choose to prioritise the signing of a new winger rather than a centre-forward when the summer transfer window opens due to Kai Havertz’s form as a striker, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The versatile Germany international has been in fine form in the final third this term, with his return of 12 league goals and six assists in 34 games the highest he has ever recorded in a Premier League campaign.
A new centre-forward has been on their wishlist of Arsenal’s key decision-makers for a while, with Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee one of those on their radar, but the Gunners could change their mind if Havertz keeps impressing.
The 24-year-old has started nine league games as a forward, scoring seven goals from an expected goals of 5.5, but he only scored four goals from an expected goals of 4.93 playing as a midfielder.
The former Chelsea star also failed to register an assist and created just 1.2 chances per game while playing in midfield but has weighed in with five assists (0.55 per start) and created 1.77 chances per game playing as a number 9.
Arsenal signed Havertz for £65 million last summer as a direct replacement for Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka and manager Mikel Arteta started playing him on the left of a three-man midfield.
However, the plan did not work as the German struggled to influence games from the position and was often subjected to constant criticism from pundits and Arsenal fans for his underwhelming performances.
Things have changed since the turn of the year when Arteta decided to start playing Havertz as a striker, which has left Gabriel Jesus permanently relegated to the bench.
The North Londoners are reportedly open to selling the Brazilian international striker if a sensible offer comes in this summer, and while they are expected to add at least one more top attacking player to their frontline, they could end up signing a winger and not a number 9 as Arteta is pleased with what Havertz currently brings to the table.
