Your morning Arsenal transfer roundup on Thursday, June 29.
Kai Havertz transfer confirmed as Arsenal complete first signing of summer window
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea as the versatile forward becomes the club's first arrival of the summer transfer window.
The Germany international, who is capable of playing in a variety of positions in attack as well as in an advanced midfield position, swaps Stamford Bridge for the Emirates Stadium following a rather mixed time in west London after moving to England from Bayer Leverkusen in September 2020.
Whilst he wrote his name into Chelsea history by scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City, there is a strong argument that he's yet to fulfill his enormous potential and now that task falls upon the shoulders of Mikel Arteta.
Havertz will be reunited with former Blues teammate Jorginho - who made the same switch in the January transfer window - and increases Arsenal's options in attack that already consist of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta's first words after Arsenal confirm Kai Havertz £65m transfer
Arsenal agree £105m deal in principle with West Ham for Declan Rice transfer
Arsenal have agreed a £105 million deal in principle to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice, as per multiple reports. The Gunners submitted a club record transfer offer for the England international on Tuesday night, football.london understands.
The two clubs have been locked in negotiations today as they try to resolve payment terms. Arsenal had two earliers bids for Rice rejected by West Ham, but are now on the verge of reaching a full agreement that would see the 24-year-old move to the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester City entered the race for Rice but, after seeing a £90m bid swiftly rejected by the Hammers, pulled out of the running. Rice had been identified as the north London outfit’s priority target going into the window and Mikel Arteta will be desperate to land his man.
According to The Athletic and The Daily Mail, Arsenal are now expected to complete the signing of Rice after nearly a month of negotiations. The Gunners' offer proposed the guaranteed portion of the fee be paid over the course of four years but West Ham ideally want the cash paid in two instalments by the start of 2025.
Jurrien Timber transfer price tag revealed as Arsenal handed timeline to complete deal
Arsenal are progressing in their hope of signing Ajax defender Jurrien Timber. The Gunners had an opening bid of £30 million rejected by the Eredivisie giants last week.
A second offer has since been submitted by the north Londoners, football.london understands, with personal terms on a deal to 2028 already agreed with the 22-year-old. According to CBS reporter James Benge, Timber is close to joining Arsenal in a £43.5 million deal that is expected to be swiftly concluded in the next few days.
The Dutch defender is under contract at Ajax until 2025 but could now be set to complete a move to north London this week.
Who would you keep and sell at Arsenal this summer? Let us know below!
