Arsenal transfer news LIVE: £60m Kai Havertz bid, £30m Jurrien Timber offer, latest on Thomas Partey exit
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, gossip and rumours from Arsenal in talkSPORT's live blog.
The summer window is almost open and Mikel Arteta is out to boost his squad to give them the best chance of mounting another title charge next season.
The Gunners came close to a first Premier League title in 19 years having finished five points behind champions Manchester City.
With City's dominance unlikely to waver and the clubs who finished below them set to get stronger, Arsenal are now set for huge activity both in and out of the Emirates to maintain their status alongside the elite.
Top stories
- PSG ‘speak to Mikel Arteta’ about leaving Arsenal to become their new manager
- Thomas Partey could be allowed to leave Arsenal
- Arsenal have bid rejected by Chelsea for Kai Havertz with player open to Emirates Stadium transfer
- Arsenal's opening Declan Rice bid REJECTED by West Ham
- Arsenal chief drops Ilkay Gundogan transfer hint
Follow our live blog below for all the latest news from Arsenal…
Arsenal are working on deals for three key players this summer and are ‘getting encouragement’ that all want to join.
Sky Sports claim transfers for Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber are progressing well.
They add Mikel Arteta will be backed this summer and the club are determined to remain ‘ambitious’.
The move for Rice will be a club transfer record while Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo and others remain on their radar.
Ajax have rejected a £30million bid from Arsenal for defender Jurrien Timber, reports claim.
The Gunners have been told to cough up £50m for the versatile 22-year-old.
According to The Athletic, Timber is keen on a move to the Emirates and there is confidence a deal can be struck.
Manchester United were interested in the Netherlands star last summer and Liverpool have been linked in recent months.
Huge news emerging this morning regarding Kai Havertz!
The Daily Mail report the Gunners have lodged a second bid for the German worth £60million.
The deal would see Arsenal pay their London rivals a guaranteed £55m and they want it wrapped up quickly.
talkSPORT understands the Blues are looking for around £75m, but they need to raise cash this summer to fund moves, meaning a compromise could be reached.
Hello, and welcome back to talkSPORT.com’s live Arsenal transfer blog. Let’s start by looking at the major stories from yesterday…
The Gunners’ move for Kai Havertz is expected to pick up some momentum this week after Chelsea turned down their opening offer for the German international.
And moving the other way could be Thomas Partey, with the London giants reportedly willing to allow the midfielder to leave the club this summer.
Arsenal even believe they could make a profit on the £45million they splashed out on him, with teams from Saudi Arabia keen.
Arsenal expect Fabio Vieira to be fit for pre-season despite his withdrawal from the European Under-21 Championship.
“I tried everything to be ready to play for my country,” Vieira said.
“I love to play for Portugal, but unfortunately it was not possible. I didn’t feel on top to play and help the team and the medical staff agreed.
“The most important thing is my health and this precaution was taken to reduce any risks. Now is the time to rest and be 100 per cent ready for pre-season, and next season.”
Barcelona superstar Gavi has hailed Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi.
“I respect him. I understand that he is at Real. If he wants to play for another team or Barca, he will decide what he will do,” Gavi told Spanish outlet Sport.
“Zubimendi is a top player. He would be a good replacement (for Busquets). I love him. But I insist, we have to respect him and Real Sociedad. We’ll see in the future.”
Arsenal have reportedly given Thomas Partey permission to negotiate a transfer to Saudi Arabia this summer, according to 90min.
They claim the Gunners see the appeal in selling the midfielder because it will free up space on the wage bill.
Arsenal even believe they could make a profit on the £45million they splashed out on Partey to recruit him from Atletico Madrid, with four Saudi Arabian clubs now bankrolled by PIF, they aren’t short of cash and the Gunners could benefit.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has suggested that Kai Havertz is similar to Robin Van Persie.
The Gunners are advancing with a move for the German international as the player wants to leave Chelsea and move to the Emirates, with personal terms reportedly agreed.
And Henry has heaped praise on Havertz.
Speaking to CBS, he said: “He reminds me sometimes, a little, of Robin [with his] back to goal the way he can hold the ball.
“Robin van Persie was very good with his left foot, the touch was always immaculate and he tried to bring people along.
“This is why out of the guys that used to be wingers or No.10, he plays as a nine, because with his back to goal, he can hold the ball well. Now he needs to make sure he can transform that into more goals because you can play off him.”
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has indicated Thomas Partey’s time in north London is up.
The Gunners midfielder has been tentatively linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
And speaking to talkSPORT, Keown suggested the Ghanaian would be moved on this summer.
He said: “He’s leaving.
“Allegedly, that’s what’s happening.
“They couldn’t rely on him last year. There was a mistake made at West Ham. The manager pulled him out and Jorginho looked a better fit.”
Arsenal’s move for Kai Havertz is expected to pick up some momentum this week after they saw an opening offer rejected and the player reportedly agreed personal terms.
And now ESPN are reporting Mikel Arteta has been personally involved in negotiations as he is a big fan.
The Gunners believe Havertz can operate as a box-to-box midfielder, a number ten and also anywhere across the forward line and it’s that versatility that has drawn them to this signing.
Ilkay Gundogan has confirmed to reporters at a press conference that he has yet to decide his future.
Claims from Spain emerged over the weekend that indicated the Arsenal target had told his current club and his potential suitors he needed time to weigh up his next move.
And speaking to the press, he ratified those reports.
He said: “No decision has been made yet, I’m still in the process to decide my future.
“There was a contact with Borussia Dortmund, but it was never close, as the return to Bundesliga is not part of my plans.”
Arsenal are reportedly still monitoring Moises Caicedo despite focusing on completing the signing of Declan Rice.
talkSPORT understands the Gunners’ offer of £80million plus £10m in add-ons was rejected by West Ham, but another bid is being prepared.
However, Evening Standard reporter Nizaar Kinsella claims the north Londoners still have interest in the Ecuadorian and could compete with Chelsea should ‘certain circumstances’ allow it.
Certainly, with Rice, Caicedo and Ilkay Gundogan all being targeted, it’s clear Mikel Arteta wants to revamp his midfield options.
Arsenal look set to miss out on Vitor Roque, with the player now close to joining Barcelona.
90min claim the Gunners are big admirers of the Brazilian forward, along with Newcastle and Chelsea.
the London giants have held talks over a move for the 18-year-old, but the player has his heart set on Barca.
As a result, a deal worth 40 million Euros is now close to completion.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has emerged as an early transfer target for Arsenal, according to the Daily Mail.
The report states the Eagles are worried they will lose the England international this summer and have identified Perr Schuurs as a replacement.
The Gunners, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs that are admirers of Guehi and could launch offers.
It’s unclear how much Palace would demand for Guehi, but given he is young and a full international, it would likely be a premium fee.
Concerning news emerging ahead of the Under-21 Euros as Arsenal man Fabio Vieira has been forced to withdraw due to a ‘medical condition’.
The midfielder is the Portuguese captain and would have played a major role for his country, but will now look to recover from the unspecified problem.
A statement from the Portuguese FA read: “The captain of the Equipe das Quinas [Vieira] presents a medical condition that, after evaluation and follow-up by the FPF’s Health and Performance Unit (USP), it was decided not to make the player available for the Under-21 Euro.
“Since he returned from England, the midfielder has been monitored by USP, having fulfilled the stipulated recovery plan. However, his situation is not having the expected evolution so that he can participate in the competition.”
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun scored his first goal for the US national team last night after rejecting the chance to represent England.
The forward enjoyed an incredible campaign on loan at Reims and has been linked with a £34million move to Inter Milan.
Should he return to the Emirates, he will face competition from Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus and he told the press he wouldn’t be going out on loan again.
After the match, he said: “What I can say is that I definitely won’t go on loan again.
“I’m not sure [about] the discussions that are going to take place, I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”
So Arsenal clearly face a difficult decision over his future.
Hello, and welcome back to talkSPORT.com’s live Arsenal transfer blog. Let’s start by looking at the major stories from yesterday…
The big news is that Kai Havertz has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Gunners ahead of a summer transfer.
Bayern Munich have emerged as strong contenders for the German’s signature, but the attacking midfielder wants to join Mikel Arteta’s men.
And Ilkay Gundogan has informed the north Londoners, along with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Barcelona and several Saudi Arabian clubs that he needs more more time to decide his future.
Gundogan’s deal at the Etihad expires at the end of this month and he has several contract offers on the table.
Manchester United want to rival Arsenal for Declan Rice but have been left frustrated by the club’s ongoing takeover saga.
The Sun report Erik ten Hag is desperate to launch an offer for the Gunners’ top target, but with the Glazers refusing to sell the club, they can’t compete.
talkSPORT understands Arsenal’s first offer for Rice has been rejected, but the London giants are prepared to bid again, with Rice favouring a move to the Emirates.
Manchester City are also lurking in the background, but with United currently, out of the picture, the Gunners have a great chance to wrap this one up.
It appears as if Mikel Arteta is prepared to totally revamp his Arsenal midfield, with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka set to leave.
The Daily Telegraph report the Gunners are willing to allow Partey to depart along with Xhaka.
talkSPORT understands Arsenal’s first offer for Declan Rice was rejected, but a new bid should go in soon.
Their opening proposal for Havertz was also turned down, but talks are rapidly progressing.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been linked with the Paris Saint-Germain job after negotiations with Julian Nagelsmann collapsed.
The French giants see the Spaniard as the man to lead them to European glory and Tony Cascarino has had his say.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “PSG have been allowed to be a team of eight defending, with three left up front to play like a five-a-side team.
“I just don’t think he would entertain that. He’s got the backing at Arsenal. He will have a lot of respect for how they’ve stood by him during difficult times.
“It feels like the club is going in one direction.
“I know football can change very quickly, but I don’t see why Arteta would take that [PSG] job.”
Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan has informed the Gunners, Barcelona and Manchester City that he needs another week to decide his future.
Marca claim all three sides, plus clubs in Saudi Arabia and Paris Saint-Germain, have been informed the German is still mulling over his options.
The 32-year-old’s contract at the Etihad officially expires at the end of this month and he is a top target for Mikel Arteta.
Wolves have agreed a £47m fee with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal for former Arsenal target Ruben Neves, talkSPORT understands.
Neves had been holding out for a move to Barcelona but grew impatient waiting for the Catalan giants to firm up their interest.
The Portuguese star moved to Wolves in 2017 and helped them to secure promotion from the Championship in his first campaign with the club.
Since then he’s gone on to make 253 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals in the process.
Now 26, Neves is looking for a new challenge after six years at Molineux.
Arsenal have reportedly identified Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia as Thomas Partey’s potential replacement this summer.
The Ghana international has been linked with a move away from the Emirates after three years spent in north London.
Despite being a key player for Mikel Arteta, it has been said that the 30-year-old could be allowed to surprisingly depart.
According to Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano, there are currently no talks planned to extend the ex-Atletico Madrid star’s stay beyond 2025.
This has seen clubs to stake an interest in the player, with discussions already taking place about his possible exit.
Romano then declared that Arsenal have a ‘concrete and strong’ interest in Saints teenager Lavia.
He claimed that negotiations between the 19-year-old’s camp and Arsenal have already taken place, with their relationship described as ‘excellent’.
Leaving Arsenal to become the manager of Paris Saint-Germain ‘would not be a step up’ for Mikel Arteta.
That’s according to former Gunners winger Perry Groves, who has told talkSPORT he would be ‘gobsmacked’ if the boss accepted the Ligue 1 champions’ approach.
He said: “I’d be amazed if he went. “I think he is quite a moralistic man. He can’t ask the Arsenal owners to buy into his project [if he’s going to leave].
“They have backed him with money and signings and, when they went through a rocky patch of results, they stuck with him.
“He’s also asking the players to commit themselves long-term to Arsenal. Bukayo Saka has just signed a long-term contract, William Saliba is just about to sign a long-term contract.
“I think he’s one of those managers who looks at Arsenal and thinks, ‘I’m asking people to buy into this and I’m buying into it, I can’t be seen to be talking to other clubs.'”
Groves added: “And honestly, as a manager, what is he going to learn if he goes to PSG? They can be bang average and still win the Ligue 1 title. It’s not a competitive league.
“I must admit, I don’t see PSG as a step up from Arsenal. They are not one of the massive clubs, they are not at the same level as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
“They’re richer or as rich as those clubs, but they don’t have the history… and especially with the situation with Kylian Mbappe as well, he’s leaving next summer. I would be gobsmacked if Arteta was interested in that job.”
Arsenal reportedly want to close the signing of Declan Rice quickly as Manchester City lurk in the background.
The Gunners have already had one offer rejected for the Hammers midfielder, but are expected to bid again.
And according to Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano, the deal is now entering ‘crucial days’.
It has been said that personal terms have almost been agreed.
But Premier League champions City are also interested, where they asked West Ham for an update on Arsenal’s move for Rice on Friday.
Should Ilkay Gundogan depart the Etihad, the Citizens could turn their interest into a formal offer.
