Bayer Leverkusen are ready to welcome Arsenal’s Kai Havertz back to the club in the future.
He spent 10 years at the Bundesliga side, having joined their academy on a free transfer from Alemannia Aachen in 2010.
The Arsenal star made his way into Bayer Leverkusen’s first team in 2016. He played 150 matches, mainly as an attacking midfielder, scoring 46 goals and contributing 31 assists.
In his final season at Bayer Leverkusen, he managed 18 goals and nine assists. This convinced Chelsea to spend around €100 million to secure his services in 2020. Havertz spent three years at Stamford Bridge, managing 32 goals and 16 assists from 139 matches, and operated as a number nine in 71 of those matches.
His goal helped Chelsea win the Champions League during the 2020/21 season, beating Manchester City in the final.
In 2023, the player joined Arsenal and had a slow start to his Emirates career. Mikel Arteta used him as an attacking midfielder and then as a striker.
The 26-year-old has 32 goals and 19 assists from 98 matches. His last goal came in the Champions League draw against his former club on Wednesday. The penalty in the 89th minute saw the Gunners avoid a defeat on their trip to Germany.
Simon Rolfes admits Kai Havertz special relationship
Prior to the European kick-off, Havertz was given a wave off by his former club.
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro, board member Werner Wenning and managing director Simon Rolfes praised Havertz. The German club are not a fan of bringing former players back to the club. However, Bild report they are ready to make an exception for the Arsenal star.
After the Champions League match, Rolfes talked about the possibility of bringing the Arsenal player back to the club.
His €20 million per year salary is a problem for them to sign him in the near future. However, that may not be the case a few years down the line, considering the relationship between the two is a special one, and the supporters appreciated him earlier this week.
“With Kai, there’s always the risk that I’ll cave. He knows that too. Whenever we talk, I’m already starting to dig,” Rolfes explained.
Future Leverkusen move remains possibility
German agency Roof represents him and they have good ties with several Bundesliga sides, including Bayer Leverkusen. Rolfes’ comments suggest a return could happen later in Havertz’s career when his salary demands may have decreased.
The special relationship between player and club remains strong despite his departure years ago.
Arsenal supporters will not want to hear about losing Havertz, but Leverkusen’s public courting demonstrates the affection they still hold for him. Whether a return ever materializes depends on multiple factors including his performance level, salary expectations and Arsenal’s willingness to sell.
For now, Havertz remains committed to Arsenal with over two years left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
