June 2023 saw Arsenal sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65 million, with the German international penning a five-year contract.
Next summer, he will have two years remaining on his deal – a time when clubs typically decide whether to offer a new contract or sell the player.
On the surface, the likelihood of Havertz leaving appears slim: he is one of Mikel Arteta's most trusted players. Whenever available, he usually starts – initially in midfield, and later as a center-forward.
However, Arsenal were forced to cope without Havertz for much of 2025. A hamstring injury in February sidelined him until mid-May. In August, he came off the bench for 30 minutes in the opening Premier League game before undergoing knee surgery.
The signing of Gonçalo Inácio from Sporting CP has also intensified competition for Havertz's starting spot. Mikel Arteta does not yet have to figure out how to accommodate both forwards.
Arsenal will sooner or later need to sell players to offset significant spending. If Havertz – who will turn 27 next summer – enters the transfer market, he is likely to become one of Arsenal's most sought-after players.
Perhaps Arsenal will have to make a strategic decision on Havertz in 2026: renew or sell?
