Two of Arsenal's main transfer priorities hang in the balance this summer with heavy interest in several of their own dream additions. It is set to be a big window at the Emirates Stadium with key recruits needed in order to keep competing at the top of the Premier League and to adapt to the added challenge of Champions League football.
The centre of defence is an area being looked at for change and added depth but it is in the midfield that most of the work is set to take place. Granit Xhaka is set to leave whilst the immediate futures of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira are uncertain.
There are a plethora of elite-level options being considered, too. Mikel Arteta and influential director Edu Gaspar are keen to add Declan Rice to their squad but have also got Moises Caicedo and Mason Mount on their shortlist. Getting all three is financially improbable and would appear unfeasible.
READ MORE: Arsenal can finish Arteta's Man City centre-back plan by beating Tottenham to high IQ signing
Rice, football.london understands, is the number one target but is also perhaps the most in-demand of the three mentioned. The West Ham captain has been quoted with a £100m price tag by David Moyes, but the resolve of keeping him has finally worn down.
The 24-year-old is expected to leave this summer with Bayern Munich and Chelsea amongst the other interested teams. Manchester United have also shown their appreciation. The same group of sides are also competing to sign Mount. Like Rice, his contract is up in just over 12 months and would be able to leave for free.
He is likely to be sold by Chelsea if they cannot reach a contract agreement with him in the coming months, though. This opens up the chance to sign one of England's most consistent midfielders of the past three seasons. It won't be simple to get him from Stamford Bridge, however.
It is believed that Manchester United are his current preference, making it hard for Arsenal to sign him, especially with a value in advance of £80m. According to Fabrizio Romano this is to plan. "This is what they (Chelsea) want, they want to start a bidding war for Mason Mount," he explained.
“They want more than £80 million for Mason Mount. But he’s out of contract next summer and this is not an easy situation to handle because the expectation around the player is for the price tag to be different, to be less than £80m.
“But Chelsea are still there and they want important money to let Mason Mount go. For sure Manchester United are there, for sure Liverpool and Arsenal are also interested. What Chelsea hope is a bidding war.”
This makes it a harder deal to pull off and also leaves their attempts to sign Rice in the balance. The pair are best friends and have had a great relationship both on and off the pitch for years. It therefore makes sense that in a summer where they could both be moving, signing one is a genuine boost for getting the other.
Should Erik ten Hag's men manage to secure Mount then it could scupper Arsenal's hopes of getting Mount in what would be a damaging double transfer blow for Arteta. There are still plenty of if, buts and maybes before that point, though. It's certainly one to watch.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal gifted Lionel Messi green light to complete perfect Oleksandr Zinchenko transfer plan
Arsenal fans left in stitches after Mykhailo Mudryk slammed on social media for latest stunt
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke breaks silence as $264m decision pays off
Arsenal to sanction 22 transfers as Edu faces easy £13m decision amid 4-word Declan Rice hint
Three things that will 'definitely' happen to Arsenal if Chelsea land £130m Victor Osimhen deal
