08 July 2023 , 03:00
632
0
Arsenal have backed manager Mikel Arteta in the transfer market following their impressive campaign last season.
The Gunners finished second in the Premier League behind Manchester City and secured a return to the Champions League for the first time in six years. They have forked out an initial £65m to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea and several other big names are expected to follow.
There have also been several outgoings, with Granit Xhaka making the move to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, Serie A side Monza making defender Pablo Mari's loan switch permanent and academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles departing on a free transfer after spending 20-years with Arsenal. Here are the last rumours from the Emirates.
Rice and Timber medicals
Both Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are edging closer to completing moves to Arsenal, having undergone their medicals on Friday.
Rice is set to make a record £105m move from West Ham United, was agreed several days ago after the Gunners lodged a third bid that will see them pay £100m up front and £5m in performance-related add-ons.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
Timber, meanwhile, is finalising a £38.5m switch from Ajax after Arsenal reached an agreement with the Dutch club on Tuesday. Ajax are set to bank a guaranteed £34.2m for the defender with the extra £4.3m depending on his performances.
Read the full story here
Thomas Partey is keen on a move to Juventus (Getty Images)Partey wants Juventus move
With Rice set to join, Thomas Partey is expected to leave the Emirates this summer and the former Atletico Madrid star is keen on joining Juventus.
Xhaka has already completed a £21.5m switch to Bayer Leverkusen and Partey could follow him out the door as Arteta continues his midfield rebuild. Arsenal are thought to be demanding around £30m for the Ghanaian international.
Despite interest from Saudi Arabia, CBS Sport state that Juventus are his preferred destination. Partey is said to have no interest in leaving Europe, but the Serie A giants are yet to make an official bid.
Read the full story here
Romeo Lavia could leave Southampton this summer (Michael Steele/Getty Images)Lavia blow
Should Partey be sold, Arsenal will likely look to sign a replacement and Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia has been heavily linked with a host of clubs including the Gunners.
The youngster is expected to leave Southampton after they were relegated to the Championship, but the Saints' asking price is proving to be a sticking point for Arsenal. According to Sky Sports, Southampton are after a fee of around £50m and both Arsenal and Liverpool are 'unwilling to bid that high'.
This is due to both sides already committing big money to sign other players. The report adds that Arsenal are 'conscious of their spending and have alternative targets' to Lavia.
Read the full story here
Arsenal lose eight players and sign three as January transfer window closes