Transfers that make total sense for all parties rarely occur in modern football. There are too many egos to impress, sums of money unthinkable to count at play and simply everyone looking to gain an advantage.
Selling clubs do not always want to let their players go. Buyers are not keen to over pay, wages cause issues, agents are added obstacles to bypass and there's now more and more PR at play.
Chelsea and Arsenal have managed to hit the spot with their latest negotiations. In recent years the moves for Petr Cech, David Luiz and Willian have been all in Chelsea's favour. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, via Barcelona, was a rare win for Arsenal in these transactions but going back it has rarely benefitted the Gunners.
Ashley Cole and Cesc Fabregas both had more success in west London than north, Olivier Giroud ended up mocking his former club in the 2019 Baku Europa League final and William Gallas hardly became a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium. It's too soon to say who will come out on top with the move of Kai Havertz, but early signs say all parties are happy.
The deal is yet to be completed but for £65million ($80million), Chelsea are getting nearly all of their money back from the investment made in 2020 on the attacker. Having stolen the march on Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the Covid-19 effected summer, the Blues completed a deal they would otherwise be unable to access.
Even for an initial £62million ($78.8million) at the time, the 20-year-old was seen as a wise investment. His goals in Bundesliga, national recognition and languid ease with his play made him one of the most exciting talents in the game. For him to only score 19 times in the league in three full seasons - playing most games during that time - and still move for a price bringing Chelsea parity, shows just how much he is admired.
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Arteta sees that despite his relative lack of output since moving to Stamford Bridge. "Talent comes at a price, and at Arsenal, we are always interested in youngsters with experience. I repeat I'm not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai, he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League," he told Marca last week.
"He is a talented player, versatile and only 24 years old."
For Chelsea, they are readying themselves to sell a 24-year-old Champions League winner with no other recognised first team striker currently fit. It is evidence of their loose ties with Havertz that fees and terms were agreed so simply and quickly with no true replacement lined up.
Nicolas Jackson will come in but is inexperienced at the top level and extremely raw. Strikers are being actively pursued but no breakthrough has been made. Meanwhile the Gunners have found a player within their age remit that can offer flexibility as well as aerial presence.
He is far from the natural No.9 that was missing in 2022/23 but has shown the quality at times to suggest there are still gears and consistent levels for him to climb through. If Arteta can harness that and bring some of the sparks to flourish more often then they have gotten themselves a fine deal for a player with European pedigree.
Having been valued at £77.6million ($98.6million) according to Transfermarkt Chelsea before moving to England, that has now dropped to just £47.4million ($60million) now. In that sense the Blues will be happy to generate such a price back for him given his total lack of assurance in the side throughout his years.
The high point reached in his early 20s does demonstrate the skill that Arsenal see within him. Compare this to the value put on Havertz currently by CIES football observatory of £68.9million ($87.5million), and they will say their payment is justified at this point.
Chelsea, though, will point to his struggles at the centre of an attack as reason to take the money and run. Both sides may well be right in this case, too, and that is a rare occurrence.
