Arsenal are ramping up their summer transfer business as Mikel Arteta plans to bolster his squad ahead of next season. football.london understands the Gunners are prioritising a move for West Ham captain Declan Rice with reports stating Edu is preparing to submit a £100million offer for the 24-year-old.
Now, Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed that West Ham are ready to accept Arsenal's offer. Plettenberg tweeted on Tuesday morning: "Arsenal is preparing a final bid of more than €100m plus bonus payments - West Ham is willing to say YES."
The talented midfielder will be into the final year of his contract at the London Stadium come the end of June, albeit the Hammers do have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months. But the Gunners are leading the race to sign the England international, despite interest from Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Away from a deal to sign Rice, Arsenal are working on strengthening other areas of the squad - as well as securing the futures of key players already in Arteta's squad. William Saliba has verbally agreed a new four-year contract with Arsenal, football.london understands, after the club have been in discussions with the player for some time with a resolution now finally in sight.
Talks for Ben White and Martin Odegaard are understood to be in the works, football.london understands. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Magalhaes have all committed their long-term futures to the club in recent months, further strengthening the Gunners' bright future.
Timothy Castagne has been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium with the Belgian defender tipped to come in as a rotation option for White at right-back. Castagne was part of the Leicester side that got relegated last term and now the Foxes are reportedly open to selling him with the Gunners looking for defensive reinforcements.
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Arteta wants two new midfield signings and Brighton star Moises Caicedo is among the players being considered. The north Londoners had two bids for Caicedo rejected in January but they are expected to reignite their interest this summer - despite facing competition from Chelsea.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has emerged as a potential option at centre-back with Rob Holding's future at Arsenal uncertain. Saliba's injury left Arsenal weaker in defence and Guehi's arrival could strengthen the squad depth in a key area for Arteta.
A versatile forward could be on the agenda for the Gunners after Gabriel Jesus' injury woes last term, but it seems midfield and defence are the priority areas Arteta is hoping to reinforce with new arrivals and contract extensions.
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