Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Reportedly Join Race for Kai Havertz

Arsenal have reportedly joined the race for Bayer Leverkusen starlet Kai Havertz and scouted the teenager while he was on international duty with Germany's Under-19 side.

The Gunners could make a move for the 18-year-old in the summer but face competition from Liverpool and Southampton, per Richard Forrester at The Sun.

Havertz is one of the brightest prospects in the Bundesliga and has three goals and six assists for Leverkusen this season.

Goal UK offered a profile of the teenage midfielder:

Havertz has been an important part of a Leverkusen side that are currently fifth in the Bundesliga table with just six games of the season remaining. He has struck up a good relationship with Leon Bailey and has contributed vital goals and assists.

The teenager offers great versatility and can feature as a playmaker or in a deeper midfield role. He can also play out wide, and his vision and technique have led to comparisons with Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, per Michael Yokhin at FourFourTwo.

There has also been praise from club captain Lars Bender, who has said he has "never seen such a complete player at the age of 17."

Havertz has already entered the history books at Leverkusen, as he is the youngest player ever to feature in the top flight for the club. He is also their youngest-ever goalscorer, per the Bundesliga's official website.

Ted Knutson at StatsBomb said the sky is the limit for the talented teenager:

Leverkusen have also moved to secure his long-term future, as he signed a five-year contract in July 2017.

However, Havertz has said that Ozil is his idol, which may encourage Arsenal that they can tempt him to the Emirates Stadium. Per the Bundesliga, he said: "I look up to Mesut Ozil. He plays football the way I like it. He's always calm with the ball, never stressed. I love watching his games."

While Leverkusen will be desperate to keep hold of Havertz, the lure of playing with Ozil would surely prove a temptation if the Gunners were to make a move for the youngster this summer.