Arsenal want Leverkusen standout Kai Havertz as replacement for Mesut Ozil

With Mesut Ozil’s time at the Emirates slowly coming to a close, Unai Emery is looking to bring in versatile playmaker Kai Havertz from Bayern Leverkusen this summer to replace the German.

At just 19-years old, Kai Havertz is already being compared to some of the world’s best attacking midfielders like fellow countrymen Toni Kroos. He’s already garnered interest from several of Europe’s biggest clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, but now the Gunners are the latest side to notice his spectacular form this season.

Havertz has taken the Bundesliga by storm this term, scoring eight times in 21 Bundesliga appearances, while also bagging three goals in Europa League play. He’s also excelled from a playmaking standpoint, tallying six assists across all competitions as well. His versatility and all-around talent to play midfield are what makes him such a hot commodity to clubs all across Europe.

What he could bring to Arsenal

Ozil has always been known as a world-class attacking midfielder, but his form has slowly declined in an Arsenal uniform due to a lack of playing time and frankly just looking unhappy at the club.

The Gunners lack a true attacking midfielder without his top form, and Havertz would fit right in immediately with Unai Emery’s squad. He can be deployed out wide or in the middle, which is a huge part of his game that makes him so special; versatility. At just 19, he’s become the main man in Leverkusen’s midfield and their leader. Havertz has formed a lethal duo with fellow German youngster Julian Brandt this year, combining for 12 goals and nine assists between the two in league play.

He’s best as a number ten though right behind the strikers, where he can use his vision and tactical abilities to find teammates with through balls and also surge into the final third when his front line draw defenders into the 18-yard box. He poses a serious threat on the attack because he is ruthless when it comes to finishing along with the talent to pick out teammates with crafty balls. Havertz is a true midfielder who can really do it all.

According to bundesliga.com, the youngster has also registered 221 successful tackles this season which ranks him 12th across Germany, showing that he also has the defensive abilities to hold down a midfield if he has to drop back as a six or an eight.

Leverkusen is extremely keen on keeping their star player, but if the right money comes calling we could definitely see him make a move to a more well-known club. If Arsenal could manage to get Havertz in the next transfer window, it would be an absolute win for the Gunners because he is truly one of the most exciting young talents in the world right now.

Vital reason Leverkusen sit in top 5

Leverkusen currently sits tied for fifth place, just five points behind RB Leipzig for Champions League qualification. They have a very young and exciting team. Everything with this side runs through the 19-year Havertz. He is a well-oiled machine who has superior football IQ for such a young age.

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Whether Arsenal can snatch him up in the summer remains to be seen, but whatever club in the future ends up getting the talented playmaker will be very lucky.

For the Gunners sake, it would be ideal to get him as a replacement for Ozil in the number ten role.

With his best years of football ahead of him, Kai Havertz has an extremely exciting future.

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