Antonio Rudiger Expresses Interest in Playing Alongside Arsenal Transfer Target Again

• Antonio Rudiger is keen to reunite with one of Mikel Arteta's targets
• The 24-year-old forward has been a regular starter for the Stamford Bridge outfit
• The former Bayer Leverkusen forward cost around £72 million in 2020

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has expressed his desire to have a reunion with Chelsea star Kai Havertz, who has also been linked with a permanent transfer to Arsenal this summer.

Havertz, 24, has been a regular starter for the Stamford Bridge outfit since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen for around £72 million in 2020. He has helped his team lift three trophies so far, including one UEFA Champions League crown.

According to The Telegraph, Real Madrid and Arsenal have expressed an interest in snapping up the 35-cap German international in the upcoming summer transfer window. Chelsea, meanwhile, are reportedly keen to offload him for £70 million.

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During an interview with AS, Rudiger was asked for his opinion on Havertz joining the La Liga giants. He replied:

"It would make me happy to play with Kai Havertz again at club level after our time together at Chelsea. Unfortunately,

I can't say a lot about it right now because in terms of transfers, my opinion is secondary. They are all club decisions."

Should the German secure a summer move to Real Madrid, he would emerge as a first-team face for them.

He could provide a versatile solution to their striking crisis in the aftermath of Karim Benzema's permanent switch to Al-Ittihad.

Havertz’s elite addition to Arsenal

On the other hand, Havertz could prove to be a shrewd signing for Arsenal.

While he could provide solid competition to starting striker Gabriel Jesus, he could also serve as an elite rotational option for Martin Odegaard as a number 10.

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Overall, Havertz has scored 32 goals and laid out 15 assists in 139 games across all competitions for Chelsea.

Obstacle impeding Havertz’s Madrid move

Earlier Sports Brief reported that Madrid have no intention to pay Chelsea’s €60m plus add-ons asking price and are willing to look elsewhere if it doesn’t come down, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea is expected to discuss the future of Havertz in the coming days as they expect more clubs to approach them over the 23-year-old.