Arsenal pause contract talks for Kai Havertz amid injury concerns
The Gunners have suspended negotiations regarding Kai Havertz's future at the club, citing his severe injury record this season as the primary factor in delaying decisions on a contract extension or a potential transfer.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that all discussions concerning Kai Havertz's contract extension or a potential summer transfer have been placed on hold. This administrative pause follows the forward's severe injury struggles this season, which have significantly limited his availability and impacted the club's long-term planning.
The German international has made only 20 appearances since joining from Chelsea in 2023, a campaign blighted by multiple surgeries. His fitness was first compromised by a knee injury in August that ruled him out for four months, followed by a hamstring injury in February 2025 which required further surgery. Despite these setbacks, Arteta has highlighted Havertz's high goal involvement rate and versatility, noting the team's reliance on him to break down opposition.
With the player entering the final two years of his deal in 2026, the club is currently prioritising his immediate return to fitness over long-term contractual negotiations. Arteta explicitly stated that the process of extending Havertz's deal or assessing transfer interest has been paused due to his recent injury record lowering the likelihood of the club paying his true value.
The manager noted that while Havertz has recorded five goals and four assists in his limited appearances, giving him a goal involvement rate of nearly one every two games, the specific timeline for his full recovery remains unclear. Arteta described the player as "pushing every boundary" to achieve availability, with the club focusing on getting him back on the pitch rather than engaging in complex administrative talks.
This decision comes as Arsenal have been linked with moves for other strikers, including Julian Alvarez, while internal doubts regarding Viktor Gyokeres' fit for elite opposition have been exacerbated by Havertz's absence. The club is now waiting to see if Havertz can return for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
While the immediate focus is on restoring the forward's match fitness, the long-term future of Havertz at the club beyond the 2026/27 season remains undefined once his fitness is restored. Arteta has emphasised that the focus must now be on availability and performance, leaving the contractual status of the £65m signing in limbo until the player can contribute to the squad.
