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Arsenal are plotting a huge summer, with many names linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. The club do have three particular transfers that they are working hard on, with Mikel Arteta keen on adding all three to his squad before the Premier League season begins.
Declan Rice of West Ham United is clearly a player the Arsenal boss admires, whilst Southampton’s Roméo Lavia is another individual the Gunners are hoping to lure to the Premier League runners-up. The most recent development is in the form of a £30million bid for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to The Athletic.
Arteta therefore is wasting no time in locating the players he wants, and the Arsenal hierarchy are making swift progress to try and make all three deals happen. Further targets are likely to have been identified, but it would appear the Spaniard is especially keen on three deals. Let us focus on each deal, bringing you the latest updates.
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Arsenal Transfer Update: Jurrien Timber
The Netherlands international, who mostly plays at centre back or right back, is a name that has been touted with a move away from Ajax for some time. With clubs in Eredivisie generally deemed a selling club where major European rivals come in with big offers, this is surely a move that Timber would entertain. He has two-years remaining on his current deal.
The latest here is that Arsenal have submitted a £30million bid, but it is believed Ajax are holding out for something closer to £50million. Personal terms for the player are no issue whatsoever, and whilst the two clubs haven’t agreed a transfer fee as of yet, it is understood there is strong hope that this will eventually be concluded.
The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the game, and his ability on the ball would certainly help Arsenal in relation to building from the back, which most top teams tend to do these days. With Ajax likely to reject this initial offer, Arsenal will need to up their offer if they’re to make this deal happen.
It would appear that Arsenal are looking to pair Timber at centre back alongside William Saliba, who recently signed a new four-year contract extension with the club. Saliba is also 22, meaning Arsenal would have a young central defensive partnership, but one which could easily be in place for many seasons to come.
Arsenal Transfer Update: Roméo Lavia
As soon as Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, Premier League clubs, and likely some major European teams, will have been on alert in terms of preparing a move for Lavia. He is very much viewed as the most sellable outlet on the Southampton roster, and the now Championship club will find it very hard to prevent him from leaving.
Of course, fees need to be agreed, and in the case of Arsenal, they are yet to make a bid for the player. However, discussions are ‘advancing’ according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. Manchester United and Chelsea are also understood to be keeping an eye on developments here, but it would appear Arsenal are firmly in the driving seat.
Negotiations continue between the two clubs, with Southampton hoping to receive a record transfer fee to boost their own finances as they look to win promotion back into the Premier League at the first attempt. Arsenal therefore must produce an actual offer to take this deal to the next level, but should a fee be agreed that nothing to prevent this transfer from happening.
Romano also reports how Lavia’s former club Manchester City hold a sell-on clause on his next move, which does slightly complicate matters. City too have a £40million buy-back possibility, but that is not valid until next year.
Arsenal Transfer Update: Declan Rice
Perhaps the longest running transfer saga at present, not just for Arsenal but in general, regards Declan Rice. Now that he has completed playing for England in their summer international fixtures, his focus can now return to his club future. Several clubs have been touted with his signature, but it looks like Arsenal are the front-runners.
Arsenal have already made an official move for Rice, but their initial offer of £80million was rejected by the UEFA Europa Conference League winners. They are very much planning their next move, which should come in the form of an improved offer. West Ham would only entertain the prospect of lowering their asking price if Arsenal offered a player as part of the deal.
So, where are we now in this move? Well, Fabrizio Romano again is on the case and he understands that West Ham are set to reject an improved offer from Arsenal, which is priced £75million plus an extra £15million in add-ons. The impression is that Rice himself would like to join Arsenal, but with Manchester City possibly entering the race, this saga could go on for much longer.
Arsenal aren’t said to be too worried about missing out on Rice at this stage, with the club quietly confident that they can make this happen. Also, the club would entertain signing both Rice and Lavia, despite both playing in central midfield. Rice is aged 24, and again fits the profile for the type of player Arsenal are looking to get on board.
The start to the 2023-24 is not far away now, and Arsenal will begin their latest quest at winning a first Premier League title since 2003-04 with a home encounter with Nottingham Forest. You can check out the key fixture dates from across the upcoming campaign by clicking here.
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