Arsenal have been extremely active during the start of the summer transfer window!
A deal to sign Kai Havertz was confirmed as the north London club's first signing of the summer on Wednesday, with the talented playmaker completing a £65million deal from London rivals Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta's side have also agreed a £105million deal in principle to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice with talks over payment structure set to be finalised soon. The Hammers skipper has been granted permission to complete a medical and could become the second addition to Arteta's squad.
Another deal that could be wrapped up soon is a move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timbe. The Gunners reportedly have reached an agreement for his transfer with the Dutch giants in a deal worth around £40million.
Liverpool are understood to be leading the race to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, along with Chelsea, with Arsenal falling behind their Premier League rivals.
With that said, stay tuned to the blog throughout the day as we bring you all the latest Arsenal news as it breaks.
Who would you keep and sell at Arsenal this summer? Let us know below!
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Good night!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for today's Arsenal live blog.
Tune in tomorrow again as we do it all over again!
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Declan Rice update
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal's deal to sign Declan Rice is edging closer.
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "Declan Rice deal, almost there! Arsenal and West Ham are progressing in talks to agree on payment terms/structure of the deal — it’s really, finally close now.
"#AFC Talks will continue to get it done… and then, here we go. £105m package/fee agreed two days ago."
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Rice agreement
West Ham hope to agree payment terms with Arsenal for the transfer of Declan Rice by Monday, as per the Sun.
The north London outfit have agreed a deal in principle to sign Rice for an initial fee of £100million, as well as £5million in add-ons. Now, it is claimed that sources close to the deal expect negotiations to finish by the start of next week.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Xhaka U-turn
According to the Mirror, Arsenal may have changed their stance on selling Granit Xhaka for just £13million.
The Gunners are claimed to be keen to fetch around £20million for the veteran midfielder instead.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Kai Havertz message
New Arsenal signing Kai Havertz has promised big things on social media ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Havertz became the Gunners' first signing of the summer transfer window earlier this week.
Read the full story here.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
City chief speaks out
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has explained why his side lost out on signing Declan Rice to Arsenal.
The north London outfit submitted a club-record transfer offer of £100million, plus an additional £5million in add-ons, for Rice on Tuesday evening, football.london understands. That bid resulted in City pulling out of the race for the England international after previously seeing a £90million bid turned down by the Hammers.
Read more here.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Defender transfer battle
Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Liverpool are all interested in Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, according to Spanish outlet AS via liverpool.com.
Inacio is just 21-years-old and has already established himself as one of Portugal's most promising centre-backs.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Timber deal details
According to transfer guru Graeme Bailey, Arsenal's move to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is a done deal.
Speaking on Talking Transfers, Bailey said: "Jurrien Timber is done. Agreed. 47 million Euros is the total package.
"The deal is worth £120-a-week, we understand, roughly. So it’s not a big deal in Premier League terms."
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Mari confirmation
Arsenal have confirmed that Pablo Mari has officially joined Serie A side AC Monza on a permanent transfer.
Mari spent last season on loan with the Italian outfit.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Rice 'buzzing' to join Arsenal
West Ham captain Declan Rice is 'buzzing' regarding his proposed move to Arsenal, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "For Declan Rice, day of silence because West Ham and Arsenal are still working, while I'm speaking, on the payment terms. As I told you yesterday, West Ham wants the payment of £100m to be made in 18 months, Arsenal are offering four years, so there is still distance.
"All parties are now more relaxed because there is an agreement on the fee, it's going to be £105m, so there is no doubt about that. So, all parties are way more relaxed, they know they can take their time. But Declan Rice and Arsenal remains a deal at the final stages."
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Havertz shock
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has admitted he was shocked to see Mikel Arteta's side sign Kai Havertz.
"[Gabriel] Jesus is there, Eddie Nketiah has done great when he’s come in but I thought they needed one more top quality striker.
"But they went for Havertz and spent a lot of money on him. Edu and Mikel Arteta must see something in him."
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Rice medical
As per the Mirror, via West Ham Zone, Declan Rice is ready to cut his holiday short to undergo his Arsenal medical in the UK ahead of his potential £105million move to north London.
Rice has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium all summer, with the Gunners making him their priority target this transfer window.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Huge Nwaneri update
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal have come to an agreement with talented youngster Ethan Nwaneri regarding a new contract.
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "Ethan Nwaneri has signed scolarship deal at Arsenal — then agreed first pro deal to be signed when he will turn 17. It’s done, exclusive news confirmed
"Contract will be valid for 2.6 years — it’s the highest salary offer made by #AFC for Academy player. Here we go."
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Balogun's cryptic message
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun's future remains uncertain, with a number of clubs continuing to be linked to a potential summer transfer.
The Hale End academy graduate has now posted a cryptic message on his twitter account, potentially regarding his future in north London.
Read more here.
Aaron Catterson-Reid
Timber conclusion
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal and Ajax are keen to conclude negotiations for the transfer of defender Jurrien Timbe.
It is claimed that the Dutch giants are ready to accept the Gunners' offer worth an initial £36million plus an additional £4million in add-ons.
Luke Thrower
Arsenal have their own KDB and Salah
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have his own Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah this summer after securing the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea. The 24-year-old secured the switch across London earlier this week in a deal that could rise up to £65million, if add-ons are achieved.
Read the full story here.
Luke Thrower
Arteta influence in Timber deal
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has played a huge role in pushing for the signing of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber this summer, according to reports. It comes as the Gunners continue to make progress in the summer transfer window, adding to the squad for the upcoming season.
Read the full story here.
Luke Thrower
Timber medical
Jurrien Timber is readying a medical ahead of his move to join Arsenal this summer, according to TalkSPORT. The Dutch international is nearing a move worth roughly £40million, with talks surrounding a move continuing.
Luke Thrower
Rice medical
Declan Rice is now free to discuss personal terms and have a medical with Arsenal ahead of a move, according to Sky Sports. The Gunners are still yet to reach an overall agreement with West Ham over a fee, as discussions continue over installments, but the deal in principal for £105million has been agreed.
Luke Thrower
Timber delay
Arsenal are facing a slight delay in a transfer switch for Jurrien Timber this summer as a deal with Ajax is still being discussed. It comes after some reports claimed that an agreement had been reached with the Dutch club over a switch.
Read the full story here.
Luke Thrower
Exit planned
Arsenal are preparing to announce the exit of defender Pablo Mari as he readies a permanent switch to Monza, following a loan spell with the club that saw them avoid Serie A relegation.
Luke Thrower
Rice rejection
West Ham have rejected Arsenal's latest payment plan in their attempts to sign midfielder Declan Rice this summer, according to the Sun. The Gunners have agreed a deal in principle with the Hammers, but the installments they pay the move in has been a point of contention.
Sam Hill
Arsenal close in on Jurrien Timber transfer as Edu reaches £40m agreement with Ajax
Arsenal have agreed an initial €42million (£36million) transfer fee to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. The deal could rise to €47million (£40million) if additional add-ons are met, according to De Telegraaf.
football.london understands that the Gunners are keen to bolster their options at the back, with Mikel Arteta interested in Timber. Arsenal had an opening bid of £30million rejected by the Eredivisie giants last week but were expected to return with an improved proposal.
The report states that the Gunners have now reached a verbal agreement on a fee with Ajax, having already tied up personal terms on a 'lucrative' contract with Timber this week. All that remains before a transfer can be completed is a medical and paperwork.
Bayern Munich were among the clubs interested in signing Timber this summer, but it now seems the player will complete a move to the Emirates Stadium if he passes a medical. The talented youngster is said to have agreed to a deal that will earn him €8million (£6.9million) - double his current salary.
Read on here.
Sam Hill
Declan Rice given 'green light' for Arsenal medical as details emerge on huge £105m transfer
Declan Rice has been given permission to complete a medical with Arsenal ahead of a huge transfer from West Ham this summer. That's according to TalkSPORT, which claims that the midfielder has been given the green light from the Hammers to undergo tests to get a deal done swiftly.
It comes after a saga that has spanned months and many bids, but one that appears to have seen the Gunners come out on top, barring any late drama. Rice was believed to have made a move to the Emirates his priority this summer, while football.london understood that Arsenal viewed the midfielder as a top priority.
The north London outfit were keen to avoid a bidding war, placing an early first bid worth £80million following West Ham's European success. That was rejected before another offer worth a total of £90million was also turned down, with Manchester City starting to lurk in the background.
Pep Guardiola's side, off the back of a famous treble but the loss of a key player in Ilkay Gundogan, firmed up their interest by making a formal bid. That offer was also turned down, however the price was edging towards the £100million mark widely claimed to be the valuation, meaning one team had to blink first.
Read on here.
Sam Hill
Arsenal handed major Romeo Lavia transfer blow as Liverpool and Chelsea lead £40m race
Arsenal have lost ground in the race to sign Southampton star Romeo Lavia in the summer transfer window. The Belgian midfielder has been tipped to leave the Saints following their relegation from the Premier League.
Southampton boss Russell Martin has stated that some players will leave the Saints this summer - which may include Lavia. Martin told reporters: "There will be people leaving, of course, it's what happens when you have such a tough season last season and you move down from the Premier League.
"I've also been there and it’s not that easy. Every player in the dressing room could think they're going back to the Premier League, but it's not that easy."
It now seems that Liverpool lead the race for the 19-year-old talent, along with Chelsea, with the Gunners falling behind in the race for Lavia's signature. A report from Football Transfers, via 90min, has stated that Arteta's side are behind their Premier League rivals as competition for the Belgian midfielder heats up.
Read on here.
Sam Hill
Good morning
It was another busy day for Arsenal in the summer transfer window yesterday!
To keep up to date with all the latest Arsenal transfer news, stay tuned to our dedicated Gunners live blog on football.london for regular updates throughout the day!
