Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Kai Havertz has put Arsenal and Bayern Munich on alert with an admission about his future.
In the autumn rumours claimed that the club's former head of recruitment Sven Mislintat was eyeing moves for two of Europe's top young talents – Rennes starlet Ismaila Sarr and the German teenager.
Whether the Gunners still hold an interest in Havertz remains to be seen, but what is for certain is that they are on the market for a midfielder as Aaron Ramsey is joining Juventus on a free transfer from July 1.
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With an impressive tally of 13 goals and six assists to his name across all competitions so far this season, the 19-year-old would certainly be an ideal replacement for the Wales international.
Although it's not quite simple as the north London outfit would face strong competition for his signature from a number of European football's leading clubs - most notably the reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Havertz is well aware of the interest in him and has revealed a decision on his future could be made in the summer transfer window.
"The media push it all up a bit and I know that I have a contract here and I want to do everything we can to put us in an international position at the end of the season," he told Eurosport .
"There is a lot of speculation, but I still have a contract here until 2022.
"In the summer we know more.
"I do not believe everything that's in the paper, there's a lot of talk in general, some things are true, some are not.
"I personally can handle the headlines well because I know what I want."
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What could tip things in Arsenal's favour is Havertz's idol is Mesut Ozil.
"To doubt his footballing qualities is incomprehensible to me," he told German website Spox."He has always been a player whom I love to watch and whose path I follow.
"Mesut Ozil is a really great player, who has done a lot for the national team and also his clubs."
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