Arsenal considering surprise £30 million move for Chelsea star - Reports
Arsenal are considering a surprise £30 million bid for Chelsea striker Timo Werner, according to Defensa Central (via Online Gooner).
Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta is interested in signing the German forward to bolster his attacking options. According to the report, the Blues, too, are willing to let the 26-year-old leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
The German international had a forgettable 2021-22 season with the west London side, scoring a meager four league goals and providing just one assist in 21 Premier League appearances.
Werner is currently contracted to the Blues until 2025. The former RB Leipzig star is on a £270,000-per-week salary at the club, but is willing to accept a wage cut to secure an exit from Stamford Bridge.
Reports claim that Werner has amassed interest from various European clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid. However, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, RB Leipzig are leading the race to secure the German forward's signature. Romano claims that the 26-year-old is the 'main target' for the German side
The 26-year-old has underperformed so far in England. Should the transfer to north London materialize, it will be interesting to see how and where the Gunners manager deploys the German striker. Arsenal have already signed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus in the ongoing transfer window.
Chelsea prepare to use Arsenal target in swap deal to sign Marc Cucurella
Chelsea could potentially include defender Levi Colwill in an exchange deal to sign Brighton defender Marc Cucurella (via HITC). According to reports, Colwill is also on the radar of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Blues manager Thomas Tuchel has been insistent on signing a centre-back ever since the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger. The West London side are pushing to complete the Cucurella deal as soon as possible. This could mean an exit for the Blues defender this summer.
The Gunners have shown interest in the 19-year-old defender, but the situation has not progressed. This means that Arsenal could miss out on signing the English centre-half, as the Blues step up to secure Cucurella's signature.
Colwill impressed during his loan spell at Huddersfield Town last season, making 32 appearances across competitions for the Championship side.