28 June 2023 , 08:32
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Ally McCoist has called Kai Havertz "a great player" ahead of the German's £65million move from Chelsea to Arsenal - but not everyone agrees.
Havertz, 24, will sign a long-term deal with the Gunners in the coming days. The transfer has raised eyebrows due to the former Bayer Leverkusen star's modest record in English football. He has scored just 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 91 Premier League games.
Although McCoist rates Havertz, Eni Aluko is flabbergasted by the move. The former England international has highlighted the Chelsea man's statistics and questioned whether he's the type of player who can inspire Arsenal to the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta's side finished second in the Premier League behind champions Manchester City last season, despite leading the title race for much of the campaign. Havertz will be Arsenal's first signing of the summer transfer window.
McCoist and Aluko debated Havertz's proposed move to the Emirates on talkSPORT. Ex-Chelsea and Juventus forward Aluko said: "Signing Kai Havertz, for me, I don’t really get it. Arsenal need to sign players that are going to make them win the Premier League."
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Yet McCoist disagreed. The former Rangers and Scotland striker said: "Havertz is one of them, I think he’s a great player."
Laura Woods chaired the debate between Ally McCoist and Eni Aluko (talkSPORT)Do you agree with Ally McCoist or Eni Aluko? Let us know in the comments below!
Aluko then pointed out Havertz's statistics, but McCoist replied: "He’s not a centre forward, I don’t care what anyone says he’s not a centre forward, never has been, never will be.
"He keeps coming towards the ball. I think in a forward area, and from a wide area they’ve already got [Bukayo] Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli - different class. But Havertz can play as a No.10 or in midfield. I actually think he will be a great signing."
Yet Aluko believes Arsenal should be investing money in a prolific striker. No Gunners player scored more than 15 goals in all competitions last season, with Saka, Martinelli and Martin Odegaard all bagging 15. Aluko added: "He's not a 20 to 25 goal-a-season player, is he? He’s not going to be [Erling] Haaland and that’s what Arsenal need."
Havertz's transfer to Arsenal will be confirmed shortly, with a video of his unveiling leaked on social media in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The Champions League winner could be followed to the Emirates by West Ham skipper Declan Rice.
Arsenal have submitted a club-record £105m bid for the England international, with £100m up front. The Hammers are yet to respond to the offer. Man City are also interested in signing Rice and have offered £90m, with £80m up front.
Arsenal's current record transfer fee is the £72m they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe in 2019. The Gunners are also hoping to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax for £41.5m. It's believed the Dutch side want closer to £50m for the player.