Kai Havertz has sent yet another goodbye on social media in a week of messages online. Ahead of a move to Arsenal, for which it was expected he would have his medical over the weekend, football.london understands, he has first been making quite the name for himself on Instagram.
With the 24-year-old set for a £65 million ($82m) move to north London he still has business with his current teammates to deal with. Firstly, he was part of a large group of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s friends and former colleagues invited to his wedding at the weekend.
With the outgoing Mateo Kovacic, Arsenal midfielder Jorginho and ex-Blues centre-back Andreas Christensen all there, Havertz’s posts with the players angered many on social media who thought he was mocking Chelsea. Christensen was subjected to abuse of his own after leaving the club for free last year while Kovacic is set for a transfer to Manchester City in the coming weeks.
With Havertz now due to join them in departing the 2021 Champions League winners, his Instagram activity is being closely monitored with supporters of both Chelsea and Arsenal looking for double meanings in all of his words.
Before he is officially announced as a Gunner, the German forward will first see more of the current SW6 cohort on their way out. Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech have all agreed to join Saudi Pro League clubs as part of the mass clearout in west London.
Ahead of the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea are attempting to rid themselves of underperforming and ageing stars on large wages. Even for Koulibaly, who only joined last summer, the club are being ruthless in their decision making and have chosen to bank any fees they can before it’s too late.
Despite his inconsistent performances in defence, Koulibaly appears to have left with no sour feelings, writing a goodbye online. “From my first game to my last, it was an honour to wear this badge,” he said.
“Last season wasn’t the one we wanted, but I want to thank the fans and everyone at the club for your support.”
With Havertz playing his own part in a massively disappointing season for the Blues, he has since responded to Koulibaly. “All the best [crying emoji, red heart emoji],” he wrote. Alongside a host of other Chelsea stars including Mason Mount, Reece James and Benoit Badiashile, Havertz was clearly a fan of the 32-year-old even if things did not work out as planned.
Havertz sent a message to the departing N’Golo Kante last week, too, writing on Instagram after the announcement of his exit: “Was an absolute honour to play with you and all the best in the future.”
Kante will also be moving to Saudi Arabia after no extension was agreed in his contract to keep him at Stamford Bridge past June 30. It leaves Havertz with the prospect of losing another load of teammates and friends he has played with before his own move away.
The attacker himself will now have to be planning a farewell message to fans as he approaches an early exit from the club he joined in 2020.
