Arsenal's summer window will seemingly surround the changing of the guard in the midfield as Mikel Arteta looks to take his side to the next level. The past season has seen the side move from top-four outsiders to Premier League title challengers after a host of changes.
The Gunners missed out on lifting the trophy late in the season though, showing there is still plenty of room for improvement for next campaign. The summer transfer window offers the perfect chance to close the gap on Manchester City, with the need for quality and depth.
The central ranks look set for the biggest overhaul as Granit Xhaka is readying a move to Bayer Leverkusen after his 16-goal involvements in the past year. Jorginho has also been linked with an exit after just six months at the club, while Thomas Partey's form has come into question.
As a result, football.london understands that Declan Rice is a top priority for the Gunners this summer, but they won't be dragged into a bidding war. A first offer has been made, with a total package worth £80million present to West Ham, but that was turned down with an improved bid expected.
One player that was linked with joining the England international was Moises Caicedo, but a switch for Kai Havertz on top of the Rice deal makes it unlikely. That said, football.london does understand that while there are other priorities, the interest isn't completely dropped.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Kai Havertz bid rejected, Gundogan hint, Romeo Lavia talks
Instead, perhaps a more realistic move may be for Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia, who has appeared on the radar of Arteta. The midfielder has a buyback clause from Manchester City which activates in 2024, meaning if there is interest, then the north London outfit will have to move quickly.
At just 19 years old, Lavia may offer the perfect glimpse into a future midfield that involves him anchoring centre, while Rice and Martin Odegaard play as the more advanced eights in the system. Should those deals get over the line, not only would it make the squad stronger, but attention can turn to bolstering other areas for next season.
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