Arsenal aiming to get two more deals done after Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber

Arsenal are hoping to follow up the signings of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber by securing two more important deals over the coming days, according to reports. The Gunners look set to lead a fruitful summer recruitment drive as they edge closer to agreeing a deal with West Ham to land Rice, who is known to be Mikel Arteta’s top target ahead of next season.

A nine-figure transfer fee has reportedly been settled upon, with Arsenal now working to finalise the structure of the deal in line with West Ham’s demand for a larger upfront payment. The north Londoners have also made significant progress in their efforts to land Timber, who was targeted by Manchester United last summer but now looks set to join Arsenal over the coming days.

The Ajax man is expected to move for a fee in the region of £40million after impressing during his time at Ajax, where he made 47 appearances in all competitions over the course of last season. He will be poised to strengthen Arsenal’s back line by filling his natural position on the right side of defence, with the likes of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu set to serve as back-up options.

Arsenal’s focus will then switch to extending the contracts of two key players, with William Saliba and Reiss Nelson set to be handed new deals at the Emirates Stadium, according to The Mirror. It is said that Saliba is poised to sign a new four-year contract, while Nelson will be offered a deal of the same length in a bid to prevent him from leaving the club this summer.

Crystal Palace are believed to be keen admirers of Nelson, who is currently available on a free transfer following the expiration of his previous contract last week. However, the Gunners are eager to stop the 23-year-old from making the switch to Selhurst Park by tying him down to a new deal as a matter of priority.

Arsenal have already strengthened their ranks this summer with the signing of Kai Havertz, who recently joined the club from Chelsea for a transfer fee of around £65m. It will be equally important for them to retain the services of their existing stars, though, as they look to mount a renewed Premier League title challenge over the course of next season.

Their next major bit of business is expected to involve Rice, though, with the England midfielder widely expected to join the Gunners at some point over the next few days. Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent recently said that he can see Rice playing in a slightly more advanced role at Arsenal next season in order to make the most of his playmaking talents, with Thomas Partey more than capable of keeping things ticking in the deeper midfield position just behind.

“I want him to be in the number eight,” Bent told talkSPORT. “So [Martin] Odegaard, him, and then I don’t know what’s going to happen with Partey, but if not Partey, Jorginho. That’s the three. If Partey stays, I’d like Partey, Declan and Odegaard.”

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