There are rumors that Jurrien Timber of Ajax and Declan Rice of West Ham United have ‘verbally accepted personal terms’ with Arsenal.
This summer, the Gunners are not taking any chances as they advance quickly to secure their primary targets.
Arsenal is seeking to bolster its roster before returning to the Champions League in a number of areas, but it is believed that Rice of West Ham is their primary priority.
Following rejection of their bids for Moises Caicedo of Brighton during the January transfer window, Arsenal shifted their attention to Rice.
Man City has now entered the fight to sign the England international after the London club have had a few offers for Rice this summer rejected.
This week, it was reported that Rice “favours” moving to Arsenal and that West Ham is reportedly asking for roughly £100 million for their prized asset.
As for Timber, after being targeted by Manchester United last summer, he has become a crucial defensive target for Arsenal. Ajax reportedly values him at £50 million, according to recent reports.
According to Football Insider, “Arsenal have verbally agreed upon personal terms with Rice and Timber.”
As negotiations with the 22-year-old defender from Ajax continue today, the Gunners are nearing a deal. Timber is eager to transfer and has accepted Arsenal’s contract offer.
‘Arsenal also have a “verbal agreement”, sources say, in place with Rice but Man City’s late hijack has thrown their deal up in the air.
‘West Ham have rejected Arsenal’s bids and City are now in talks to sign Rice.
‘On 13 June, Football Insider revealed that Mikel Arteta’s side have agreed terms with the England international in a deal worth £100million-plus. The initial bid of £92m includes around £8m worth of add-ons, taking the total deal to over the £100m mark.
‘Arteta is a huge fan of the 24-year-old and sees him as a future club and international captain.’
Additionally, Arsenal is attempting to get Kai Havertz from Chelsea. Fabrizio Romano told Caught Offside that Arteta has been “really important” in talks for the Germany international and that a contract has been “agreed in principle.”
‘I cannot understate this – Mikel Arteta has been really, really important in Arsenal’s deal to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
‘The German is set to be unveiled as a new player sometime next week and Arteta is delighted this is going to happen. The Spaniard did everything he could to convince Havertz that a move to Arsenal was best for him, and the player agreed.
‘Havertz believes that playing for Arteta and Arsenal was the best project, not just in England, but throughout the whole of Europe. Havertz thinks Arteta’s style, ideas and plans will only help make him a better player.
‘Also, interestingly, a lot of Arsenal’s players have been messaging Havertz – their off-field connection already looks really, really good. This is a really exciting time for Arsenal and their fans.’