Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Jurrien Timber wants to join, £65m Kai Havertz set for medical, West Ham to reject £90m Declan Rice bid, Romeo Lavia talks
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
- Arsenal's second Declan Rice bid set to be REJECTED by West Ham
- Southampton will demand a £50million fee for Arsenal target Romeo Lavia
- 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 chief drops Ilkay Gundogan transfer hint
Follow our live blog below for all the latest news from Arsenal…
Arsenal have now been handed a further blow in the race for Declan Rice.
West Ham are expecting Manchester United to also enter the bidding for Rice, report The Times.
The Red Devils aren’t willing to meet the Hammers’ £100million valuation of their captain, but are willing to include players in a part exchange deal.
Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire are two stars United are said to be willing to include.
talkSPORT understands West Ham are interested in McTominay, while the Hammers are also open to offers for Tomas Soucek who has one year left on his current deal at the London Stadium.
Declan Rice is ‘open to any move’ this summer.
That’s according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who has provided an update on the situation surrounding the West Ham captain’s future this afternoon.
“Manchester City have decided to bid for Declan Rice after calling West Ham last Friday to be informed,” the journalist wrote on Twitter.
“Man City also checked player’s side — understand Rice is open to any move so deal depends on the clubs now.
“Arsenal, planning to bid again since last week.”
Thomas Partey is reportedly getting closer to an Arsenal exit.
The Athletic claim that the Ghanian’s representatives and the club itself are both working on potential exit solutions for the midfielder.
The report adds that the situation is not believed to be advancing rapidly but there is interest in the 30-year-old from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal have been handed a major boost in the pursuit of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Timber has agreed to join Arsenal and the club are advancing on full agreement on personal terms.
The report adds that negotiations will follow between Ajax and Arsenal in the next hours and days but a new bid from the Gunners is expected soon.
Manchester City have a secret weapon to beat Arsenal in the race to land Declan Rice.
Well, that’s according to Simon Jordan, who predicted yesterday that Kalvin Phillips could be used as a makeweight – a move that would greatly benefit West Ham.
Responding to Phillips’ comments that he wants to stay at City this season, Jordan said: “What Kalvin Phillips says and what Pep Guardiola tells him might be two different things,” says Simon Jordan.
“If he says he wants to stay at Man City and Guardiola says, ‘that’s very commendable son, by you ain’t playing’, then his attitude will have to change.
“There are a variety of ways this deal can be done because West Ham are going to have a need, they’re going to have to replace this player and Phillips could be the makeweight.
“Suddenly you’re doing a £75m deal with cash, plus you’re taking Kalvin Phillips, and you’re making it happen that way.”
Arsenal have been joined in the race to sign Declan Rice by Manchester City.
The Athletic report that City are expected to make an opening offer for the West Ham midfielder.
The report adds that it is believed Arsenal are getting closer to a fee that the Hammers are chasing having had two official offers rejected already.
Kai Havertz will be paid £200,000-a-week at Arsenal, according to reports.
The Sun claimed the Gunners moved quickly to prepare a contract to make the German among their highest paid players at the club.
Havertz will become the 14th player to star for both Arsenal and Chelsea in England’s top flight as he closes in on a £65million switch.
Danny Murphy reckons Declan Rice may have to “be Joey Barton” to force his move to Arsenal this summer.
He told talkSPORT: “As of now Man City aren’t in – my understanding is they have not committed yet and I’ve heard nothing about Bayern Munich – so Arsenal don’t have to rush.
“And it may get to a point where Declan has got a decision to make – has he got the courage to kick up to get out if he needs to?
“I know he’s not that type of lad but sometimes you have to be Craig Bellamy, Joey Barton – you’ve got to look after yourself.
“I only had it once in my career, but you have to be able to follow through.
“It means you have to make it perfectly clear, ‘If you keep me here I won’t be playing’, and even if you don’t really believe it long-term, you have to do it and make them believe.
“Is it a professional thing to do? It doesn’t matter. You’ve got to look after yourself.”
Hello and welcome back to Arsenal’s transfer live blog – our top story this morning…
Jurrien Timber’s twin brother Quinten has admitted he is unsure whether the Gunners top defensive target will be at Ajax next season.
Speaking to Dutch news outlet NOS, he was asked whether Arsenal’s interest in his brother is correct, where he is alleged to have said yes.
He then added of the Londoner’s opening proposal: “I don’t know if there was an offer.”
And Quentin then conceded that he is unsure whether Jurrien will be playing in the Eredivisie next campaign, as he stated: “I don’t know.”
Arsenal are closing in on a £65million move for Kai Havertz after the Gunners and Chelsea reportedly agreed a deal.
And former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes this will prove to be a good signing for the Gunners, even if he thinks they are overpaying.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “He’s a talent. I like him. He’s elegant and graceful to watch.
“I think there are a few positions that he can play. He can play out wide or in [Martin] Odegaard’s position, but he could also play alongside Odegaard as a third midfielder.
“He’s young and [Mikel] Arteta will think he can improve him, but it’s a lot of money.”
Arsenal target Ilkay Gundogan’s switch to join Barcelona this summer is reportedly a done deal.
talkSPORT revealed earlier on Wednesday how the Manchester City skipper was set to sign a two-year deal at the Nou Camp.
The German midfielder will become a free agent when his contract at the Etihad expires at the end of the month.
And now transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has declared that Barca have been given the green light from LaLiga to register the 32-year-old as a new player.
It has been claimed that Gundogan’s deal will contain the option of a further 12-month stay.
Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a deal for Kai Havertz after Chelsea and the Gunners agreed a fee.
The London giants will pay their inner-city rivals £65million for the German international, and Arsenal fan Darren Bent is baffled.
Arsenal are ready to sell Thomas Partey this summer, with a move out to Saudi Arabia a ‘concrete’ option.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims that Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in the 30-year-old midfielder and are willing to pay around £34million to bring him to the Middle East.
However, it is claimed no decision has been made by the player yet.
Arsenal will be getting a star in Jurrien Timber if Virgil van Dijk’s verdict on the defender is anything to go by.
“I wasn’t nearly as far along as he is now [at the same age],” Van Dijk said when asked about his fellow Dutch international last year. “I have nothing but praise for him.
“He is a great player and a true professional. He has so much potential.
“Hopefully he can develop further. Then it will be all right, I think.”
Jorginho is set to stay at Arsenal, according to reports.
The former Chelsea midfielder only joined the Gunners in January for £12million and proved several vital contributions in the club’s ultimately doomed Premier League title challenge.
But at 31-years-old there was plenty of speculation surrounding a potential return to his native Italy with Arsenal looking to strengthen their midfield.
The Evening Standard claim that Jorginho is keen to fight for his place at Arsenal and prove his worth to Mikel Arteta despite interest from Lazio.
Graeme Souness has made a claim about Declan Rice and James Maddison amid their links to both Arsenal and Tottenham.
Speaking about Rice on talkSPORT, Souness said: “If you’re looking for a top, top midfield player, I don’t believe he has enough cute passing in him to be that.
“I think he’d be a really good guy, he’d be great to work with, extremely athletic, he senses danger so he’s got that part of a central midfield player’s game, he’s got that. He can get himself into positions where the guys he is playing against that want to find the striker or make a cute pass, he knows that and not everyone can get that.
“So he’s got that instinctively, but what he doesn’t have is cute and clever passes when he gets into the last third. I think he’s a little bit predictable when he gets on the ball personally. He’d make Arsenal better. Would he personally get better? Not sure.
“Maddison has got that final ball. I’m not sure if that’s something he [Rice] can develop. I think that’s something you’ve got or you’ve not got, there’s no doubt he would be an asset to whoever takes him, and I bet he’s a great boy to work with.
“This is not a criticism, we’re talking about someone worth £100 million. His record is 204 games, ten goals, ten assists.”
Chelsea have rejected a second bid from Manchester United for Arsenal target Mason Mount.
United’s offer is understood to be around £50million – a guaranteed £45m plus £5m in add-ons.
Chelsea have said no and are demanding £65m for the England international.
Arsenal were said to have been among the clubs keeping tabs on Mount’s situation but are pressing ahead for deals for his England pal Declan Rice and his Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz.
Declan Rice may have to go on strike at West Ham to get his Arsenal move across the line this summer, claims former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy.
“As of now Man City aren’t in – my understanding is they have not committed yet and I’ve heard nothing about Bayern Munich – so Arsenal don’t have to rush,” Murphy told White and Jordan on talkSPORT.
“And it may get to a point where Declan has got a decision to make – has he got the courage to kick up to get out if he needs to?
“I know he’s not that type of lad but sometimes you have to be Craig Bellamy, Joey Barton – you’ve got to look after yourself.
“I only had it once in my career, but you have to be able to follow through.
“It means you have to make it perfectly clear, ‘If you keep me here I won’t be playing’, and even if you don’t really believe it long-term, you have to do it and make them believe.
“Is it a professional thing to do? It doesn’t matter. You’ve got to look after yourself.
“The big question mark for Dec is if Man City do come in late, the choice over whether to leave London or not.
“London is his home, it’s where he’s grown up, it’s where his family is, but as a football decision it would be a no-brainer to join the Premier League champions.
“If you had a choice between City and Arsenal, although Arsenal are on a great trajectory, you’d pick City all day long.”
Arsenal target Ikay Gundogan is set to leave Manchester City after agreeing terms with Barcelona, talkSPORT understands.
Gundogan has been offered a two-year deal with the option of a further year by the Spanish giants.
Mikel Arteta had attempted to bring the German to London having worked with him at the Etihad but to no avail.
Arsenal have now reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
The Athletic claim that the deal for the 24-year-old Germany international is worth around £65million.
The report adds that personal terms have already been agreed between Havertz and Arsenal with his medical set to be scheduled in due course.
Kai Havertz will be relishing reuining with former Chelsea teammate Jorginho at Arsenal.
Speaking in March about the Italian’s move to the Gunners, Havertz said: “I played with Jorginho for two and a half years.
“I loved being with him. Then he calls me one evening and says, ‘I’m gone’. I was like, ‘What the? How is this possible?’, this is how quick things change, it’s football.”
Dimitar Berbatov expects Arsenal to be among the teams to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Berbatov told Betfred: “I believe it will be difficult for Manchester City next season because not only Manchester United, but the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will be competing with them also.
“I know Chelsea had a difficult campaign, but they’ll be better next season under Mauricio Pochettino.
“It’s going to be very interesting to see which club presents Manchester City with the biggest challenge.”
Arsenal are confident of signing defender Jurrien Timber depsite their initial £30m offer falling short of Ajax’s valuation, talkSPORT understands.
Timber has made it clear to the Ajax board he wants to join the Gunners.
The Netherlands international scored two goals and registered another two assists in 34 Eredivisie matches last season.
Arsenal are now closing in on striking an agreement with Chelsea to sign Kai Havertz, according to reports.
The Athletic claim the Gunners now working to finalise the structure of the impending £65million deal.
The report adds that personal terms are already in place and a medical is set to be scheduled once potential instalments and add-ons are agreed.
Jurrien Timber said to be ‘streets’ ahead of Bayern Munich in their bid to sign Jurrien Timber.
Parties involved in the deal consider the Gunners to be the front-runners for the Ajax defender’s signature after previously holding secret talks in London, according to De Telegraaf.
Arsenal had an opening £30million bid for Timber rejected on Monday.
