Welcome to the football.london transfer briefing. To help you keep on top of all things Arsenal going on in the market we've got the latest noises coming from social media, journalists and so-called ITKs, rounding up what's what in the world of the Gunners.
Double defender transfer
Arsenal remain interested in Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo, according to reports. The Gunners were linked with the Portugal international previously but have instead moved for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
German outlet Kicker have claimed the Gunners remain in the market for a natural right-sided defender and are reconsidering a move for Cancelo. Man City are thought to be wanting £50 million ($63.4m) for their man, an asking price that could leave the door open for RB Leipzig Benjamin Henrichs.
The same reports claim the 26-year-old, who is valued at $19m by Transfermarkt, is of interest to Mikel Arteta. His contract expires in two years time and could cost significantly less than Cancelo.
football.london says: Even with Timber's arrival, Arsenal face the prospect of signing another defender this summer. Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney have both been tipped to leave the club, leaving Arteta very short in defence.
Timber's preferred position at centre-back will mean the Gunners will continue to be without a natural full-back on the right. A deal for either Cancelo or Henrichs would make sense for so many reasons.
READ MORE: Arsenal have perfect reason to announce £105m Declan Rice transfer today and repeat shock event
Cancelo has history working with Arteta and has experience playing in the Premier League and Champions League. However, his huge price tag could be too expensive following the imminent arrivals of Timber and Declan Rice.
Arsenal could continue their recent trend in raiding Man City with the signing of Cancelo. After already failing to land Ilkay Gundogan, securing a deal for the versatile defender would be the perfect revenge.
Henrichs, at a cheaper price tag, would be a smarter piece of business. He does, however, not come with experience in England and will have to adjust to the physical demands of the Premier League.
Liverpool enter Lavia race
Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. The Reds are embarking on a major overhaul of Jurgen Klopp's midfield this summer and have already signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed Liverpool have identified the Belgian as their next reinforcement, with talkSPORT claiming an opening bid for the 19-year-old is set to be put on the table soon.
football.london says: Much has been made on Arsenal's requirement for a new midfield this summer. Declan Rice's arrival will improve the area of Arteta's side, but Granit Xhaka's exit to Bayer Leverkusen will leave them worse off.
Talk of Thomas Partey potentially leaving would leave the Gunners with more business to be done. However, as of yet, no deal has progressed, meaning missing out on Lavia may not be too much of a blow.
The Southampton star is a brilliant footballer and there's a reason why a number of top clubs are keen. Focus remains on getting the Rice and Timber deals over the line, meaning they may have to accept losing out to Liverpool.
