Arsenal are ready to make an improved offer for Declan Rice after Manchester City had their opening bid for the West Ham captain rejected.
The race to sign Rice has intensified after City made a formal offer worth an initial £80million up-front plus a further £10m in add-ons.
That bid was turned down by West Ham, who are holding out for at least £100m for the England midfielder and hope to spark a bidding war between City and Arsenal.
Arsenal had their bid of £75m plus £15m in add-ons rejected last week but are preparing a fresh offer for their top summer transfer target.
Rice has previously indicated his preference was to join Arsenal this summer, but concrete interest from City will be a concern for the Gunners.
The chance to work under Pep Guardiola will be an enticing one once for Rice, who has two years left on his contract at West Ham, who know this summer is their last chance to bank a big transfer fee for him.
City are in the market for new midfielder after captain Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona on a free transfer. They are also closing in on the signing of Mateo Kovacic in a £30m deal from Chelsea.
Arsenal are today finalising their £65m signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea. The German has agreed a five-year contract at Emirates Stadium and is expected to wear the No29 shirt he wore at Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal are also working on a deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
The Gunners had opening offer of £30m for Timber rejected last week but talks are ongoing between Arsenal and Ajax with the hope being that a fee can be agreed for around £40m.
Timber is excited by the prospect of working under Arteta and sources in Holland have indicated he has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract. Timber will offer competition for Arsenal at right-back and in the heart of defence.
