For Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, the only club they wanted to join this summer was Arsenal. Both stars are at different stages of their summer move to the Gunners, but the expectation is that the duo will be in north London for the 2023/24 season.
Havertz is joining in a £65million move from Chelsea with the first part of his medical being completed this past weekend. As for Timber, an initial £30million bid was rejected by Ajax earlier this month but there was always confidence that a compromise would be found, with the Dutch defender having no objections regarding an Arsenal switch.
Over the past few days, the move gathered significant pace with Dutch outlet Telegraaf reporting that Timber has reached a verbal agreement with the Gunners on a contract until 2028. The 22-year-old will see his salary double in north London as he is set to earn €8million (£6.9million) per year.
football.london understands a second bid was submitted to Ajax on Monday morning, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reporting the offer was between €45million (£38.5m) and €48million (£40m). If that is to be believed, the Gunners will have spent just over £100million on two signings that fit Mikel Arteta's system perfectly and immediately improve their squad options.
Both had strong interest from Bayern Munich, but the desired aim was to always end up at Arsenal. Romano also explained in his Caught Offside column just how badly Havertz wanted the move to Arsenal.
He wrote: "Havertz believes that playing for Arteta and Arsenal was the best project, not just in England, but throughout the whole of Europe. Havertz thinks Arteta’s style, ideas and plans will only help make him a better player."
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Timber is also said to view the transfer as the perfect place for him to continue his career. While these signings, on paper look to be astute, the main goal for Arteta and Arsenal is signing Declan Rice. Convincing the player that Emirates Stadium is the right destination for him was the first task and that looks to have been completed with Arsenal as his preferred choice.
However, unlike with Timber and Havertz, the Gunners face real competition for Rice with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side made it known last week they would be sending an official bid as soon as Arsenal begin lining up their third offer after seeing a £90million proposal rejected.
The West Ham captain is open to both moves, but The Mirror are reporting that City will only launch an official bid if the 24-year-old gives them assurances that he wants to join them. With no convincing needed on the side of the player, the final task comes in regard to agreeing a fee with the Hammers.
football.london understands that if the north Londoners either table an offer that exceeds £100million or one which guarantees a significant fee to be paid upfront, they will win the transfer race. Despite Man City's intentions, all the signs still point towards a transfer to Arsenal, as long as the Gunners meet one of West Ham's clear demands.
