Your morning Arsenal transfer roundup on Tuesday, July 11.
Arsenal set Declan Rice transfer deadline as Mikel Arteta makes Jurrien Timber pre-season plan
Arsenal are hoping to announce the £105million signing of West Ham captain Declan Rice by Sunday before Mikel Arteta's squad travel to America. The Gunners are set to take their summer spending to over £200million with the signings of Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Both players are expected to be confirmed as Arsenal players this week after completing medical tests last weekend. Arteta is hoping to add a couple more signings to his squad before the transfer window shuts with a versatile forward and another midfielder on the club's agenda.
Granit Xhaka's departure to Bayer Leverkusen in a £21.5million deal last week will see Rice come straight in to replace the Swiss midfielder - whilst Thomas Partey has also been linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium. Timber will bolster the defence and his versatility will provide cover at centre-back and right-back heading into the new season.
According to SkySports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, Arsenal want to confirm Timber's arrival before Thursday's friendly against Nurnberg in Germany. The report adds that the Gunners' plan is to wrap up a deal for Rice by Sunday so that he can join the squad in time to fly to America.
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Chelsea join Arsenal in £26m transfer race for Ligue 1 star after Kai Havertz move
Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested in signing Montpellier striker Elye Wahi in the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old has established himself as one of Ligue 1's most exciting young forwards in recent times, 19 goals in 33 games last season.
It is claimed that the France Under-21 international is now being 'closely followed' by the Gunners, who would likely have to pay in the region of €30 million (£26.3 million) to prise him away from Montpellier in this summer's transfer window. Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be interested in Wahi.
Mikel Arteta wants to add a versatile forward to his attack with the future of Folarin Balogun uncertain ahead of next season. Chelsea are also in the market for a new attacker after allowing Kai Havertz to join Arsenal in a £65million deal last month.
Despite Havertz's arrival at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta may look to deploy the Germany international in an attacking midfield role as he looks to freshen up his tactics. Bukayo Saka played more minutes than any other outfield player for the Gunners last term and quality cover for the England international will be required to ease the pressure on him.
Chelsea are expected to submit a bid to sign Wahi in the summer transfer window, according to a report from L’Equipe. The 20-year-old is tied to Montpellier with his contract set to expire in 2025 - yet it is widely accepted that the young striker will leave the Ligue 1 outfit this summer.
Mikel Arteta given £72m transfer instruction as Edu finalises Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber deals
Mikel Arteta has been urged to sell £72million flop Nicolas Pepe and five other Arsenal stars in the summer transfer window. Pepe has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium after being allowed to leave on loan last term despite being the club's record signing.
The Gunners are expected to break their club record transfer fee in a £105million deal to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice this week. The England international completed a two-part medical over the weekend and Arteta is hoping that the 24-year-old will join his squad ahead of Arsenal's pre-season tour in America.
Jurrien Timber is on the verge of becoming the Gunners' second summer signing after agreeing a £40million switch to the Emirates Stadium. Kai Havertz has already signed for Arsenal after completing a £65million switch to north London from Chelsea this summer.
Arteta and Edu Gaspar are working together to reshape the senior squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as Arsenal prepare for a return to the Champions League. A versatile forward and another midfield signing could be completed before the summer transfer window closes - with the Gunners set to sell a number of fringe players.
Former Gunners striker Alan Smith has urged Arsenal to get a few players ‘off the wage bill’, starting with Pepe and Folarin Balogun, with the latter attracting interest from several clubs across Europe. "It is hard because he’s [Balogun] a few notches down the pecking order now, especially with Havertz coming into the squad," Smith told Gambling Zone.
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