Mikel Arteta is facing a crucial week in the summer window as he hopes to seal numerous transfers.
An official announcement is the only thing left to confirm Kai Havertz as an Arsenal player after an agreement was reached between the Gunners and Chelsea for a £65million move with his medical taking place over the weekend.
A deal for Jurrien Timber also could soon reach its final stages with the Gunners increasing their offer in a second bid after seeing a £30million fee turned down by Ajax. Personal terms have already been agreed with the Dutch defender adamant he only wanted to join Arsenal despite firm interest from Bayern Munich.
The final major piece of transfer business likely to be done by Arsenal comes in midfield with Declan Rice as the priority signing. Two proposals from north London have thus far been turned down by West Ham and a third bid is already being prepared, but Manchester City are now firmly in the race.
An opening offer was sent to West Ham for Rice by Pep Guardiola worth £80million up front and £10million available in add-ons, but the Hammers also rejected that bid. Although it didn’t reach the £100million valuation set by the club, football.london understands that Man City’s payment structure was closer to what West Ham want with more achievable add-ons also included.
While negotiations for Rice will no doubt continue, numerous outgoings are also expected with Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun as the marquee names set to leave. Hale end starlet Ethan Nwaneri also appeared primed for a departure, but, as per the Evening Standard, Arsenal have since provided him with an attractive offer to stay at the club on scholarship terms, with an answer needed by Friday, which is when his schoolboy registration runs out.
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