Arsenal turn screw in pursuit of Fantastic Four as two marquee deals edge closer

Arsenal have upped the ante in their pursuit of Mikel Arteta’s Fantastic Four – Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Romeo Lavia – as the Gunners seek to execute an explosive start to the summer transfer window in a clear statement of intent to Premier League champions Manchester City. Sporting director Edu is leading Arsenal’s ambitious recruitment drive with the assistance of director of football operations Richard Garlick and executive Tim Lewis and the club’s total outlay on new arrivals could yet exceed the £250million mark come the end of the window.

Arsenal will strive to minimise their net-spend with shrewd negotiating and player sales but the wheels are now in motion in the hunt for Arteta’s top four summer targets which would undeniably see the Gunners upgrade their central midfield options, forward line and defensive depth by impressive measure.

A second bid for Declan Rice has now landed as Arsenal seek to wrap up the signing of their top summer target as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of a potential hijack with Manchester City thought to be lingering in the shadows.

There is internal confidence that Rice wants the move and sources have indicated that the north London club have now tabled a club-record proposal of £90m for the Hammers captain after seeing an opening offer rebuffed by West Ham last week.

That figure is expected to include add-ons which would indicate Arsenal’s opening bid for the defensive midfielder who featured in England’s 7-0 win over North Macedonia on Monday, was worth slightly less than initially reported.

Arsenal’s attempts to land the 24-year-old have been somewhat hindered by various obstacles in recent weeks following the UEFA Conference League final and Rice’s involvement with England during the international break.

Yet huge progress has also been made on the acquisition of Chelsea forward Kai Havertz with an agreement now thought to be close.

After failing with an opening proposal, Arsenal are now in negotiations to finalise the capture of the German international attacker with their London counterparts for a fee between £60m-£65m.

Havertz has made it clear he wants to join the Gunners after three frustrating seasons at Stamford Bridge despite netting the winning goal in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League triumph over Manchester City and the Blues are under increasing pressure to raise cash before June 30 when they will submit their financial accounts for the 2022/23 season.

The 23-year-old is viewed as a player that can play in multiple positions across Arteta’s frontline while he also previously starred as an attacking midfielder for Bayer Leverkusen prior to his £72m move to west London in 2020.

Arsenal have also tried and failed with an opening bid for Ajax centre-back and former Manchester United target Timber, thought to be worth around £30m. Talks are ongoing but remain positive between the two clubs.

After months of deliberation, it appears the Gunners have now settled on their top defensive target having also monitored RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simakan, Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.

Arteta wants to sign a tactically-flexible hybrid defender, who is capable of playing at centre-back, full-back and potentially even in midfield if required.

The idea is that the club would virtually be signing two players for the price of one and securing cover and competition for William Saliba was among the topics at the top of Arsenal’s agenda this summer. Timber ticks all of those boxes.

Ajax are seeking closer to £50m in order to agree to a sale but Arsenal are thought to be willing to try again with an improved offer for 22-year-old Dutchman.

Arsenal also hold concrete interest in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and there has been progress on personal terms with the Belgian, who looks set to leave St Mary’s this summer.

That said, there is currently reluctance to meet the Saints’ £45m valuation of the highly-rated 19-year-old following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

It’s thought that should Southampton indicate they’re prepared to lower their asking price, other clubs including Chelsea and Liverpool will enter the fray.

Both of those sides have already held dialogue with Lavia’s agent Emeka Obasi over a possible deal but they have communicated they’re not prepared to pay £45m at this moment in time.

Southampton’s valuation of Lavia has been clouded by the £50m deadline-day proposal that was presented to them via intermediaries on behalf of Chelsea last September.

While the Saints rejected the offer out of hand having only signed the player less than two months prior to Chelsea’s bid, they were confident Lavia’s value would continue to sky-rocket but their disastrous Premier League campaign has damaged their negotiating position. 

Furthermore, Manchester City’s £40m buy-back clause does not become active until the summer of 2024.

In terms of outgoings, Granit Xhaka is still expected to seal a move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer while Arsenal are now actively entertaining approaches for Thomas Partey.

It’s understood Partey is a name currently under discussion in Saudi Arabia which could be of huge benefit to Arsenal in their bid to overhaul Arteta’s midfield.

Folarin Balogun is also expected to leave the club on a permanent basis after netting on his USMNT team debut. The 21-year-old has already made it clear he does not intend to leave the Gunners on loan, indicating he will be prioritising a permanent move as he prepares to hold talks with Arsenal over his future.

Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe has also been pushed towards the exit door while Albert Sambi Lokonga and Auston Trusty are also among those available for transfer.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy is also attracting strong Championship loan interest.