A theme has emerged with regard to Arsenal's summer transfer targets since the beginning of the week.
It's now seven days since the window officially opened and the only business that the Gunners have communicated thus far are the departures of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, FA Cup winner Matt Smith and forgotten youngster George Lewis - among others - when their contracts expire at the end of the month.
In terms of why the north London outfit are yet to announce a new signing, there are many factors. Perhaps the most overriding one has been the international break with the UEFA Nations League finals, UEFA European Championship and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and friendly matches taking place across the globe over the past week or so.
As a result, a few deals that Arsenal have been working on were ultimately placed on hold. But, as seen with the latest Declan Rice developments, things are beginning to accelerate as the international window draws to a close and pre-season training on the horizon.
Not even 24 hours had passed following England's 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia on Monday evening when it emerged that the Gunners had lodged a second bid for the West Ham United captain which football.london understands was still below the £100 million-plus asking price.
Now, while, that offer, as reported by The Athletic, has since been rejected, the Gunners are expected to push ahead in finding an agreement with the Hammers to land Mikel Arteta's priority summer signing.
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Having said that, the Rice deal isn't the only one that Arsenal can accelerate as Kai Havertz has now wrapped up his international commitments with Germany last of three friendlies across an eight-day period in the window taking place on Tuesday night against Colombia.
Of course, the 24-year-old still has to return to the UK but perhaps within the next few days, his move will advance as very little stands in the way of the north London outfit completing all the formalties to make this deal official if they can reach an agreement with Chelsea, who have announced the signing of Christopher Nkunku, over a fee.
football.london understands that Arsenal do hold a genuine interest in Havertz but do not intend to meet the £70m valuation set by their London counterparts and recent reports claim they have lodged a second bid worth £60m after seeing their opening offer rejected last week.
In many ways, Ilkay Gundogan is in the same position as his compatriot with regard to a potential move to the Emirates. Although were he to join the Gunners on a free transfer, his contract wouldn't come into effect until July, 1 so there's not much else Arteta and Edu can do except wait for the midfielder to decide his next move.
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