Here is your morning Arsenal digest on Monday, June 26.
Rice given Man City instruction
West Ham captain Declan Rice has been instructed to pick Manchester City over Arsenal.
The Gunners have seen two bids for Rice rejected by the Hammers so far this summer, with the most recent offer valued at £75million plus £15million in add-ons. Manchester City have reportedly joined Arsenal in the hunt for the midfielder, with West Ham valuing their skipper in the region of £100million, and former striker Robbie Fowler has insisted that Rice should join Pep Guardiola’s side.
“If Declan Rice wants to win trophies then he must sign for Manchester City,” Fowler said in his Mirror column. “Apologies to any Arsenal fans who think that the West Ham midfielder can realise his full potential by moving across the capital. The reality is that the Gunners are a work in progress who punched above their weight last season - and still finished second to City.
“The one thing a player is guaranteed when they sign up for Pep Guardiola at the Etihad is a bag full of medals. Just ask the last midfielder who cost City £100 million.
“Since leaving Aston Villa two years ago, Jack Grealish has won the Champions League, two Premier League titles and the FA Cup. No wonder Jack felt like celebrating after City clinched the Treble!”
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Kai Havertz Arsenal transfer and explains hefty £65m price tag
Mikel Arteta answers Declan Rice question
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is determined to strengthen his side this summer as he looks to mount another title challenge next season. The Gunners are already nearing a deal for Chelsea forward Kai Havertz and are also reported to be targeting Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, as well as Declan Rice.
In an in-depth interview with Marca, Arteta essentially confirmed the club’s interest in Havertz . However, the Spaniard was a little more tight-lipped when asked about a potential club-record deal for the West Ham captain.
“I can't talk about players who are not in the club. I prefer not to say anything,” the Arsenal boss replied.
Arteta role in Jurrien Timber transfer
Arsenal are reportedly the preferred destination for Ajax and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber as the Gunners prepare to make an improved offer.
football.london understands that Ajax are demanding a much larger sum than the Gunners’ initial £30million bid, with Dutch outlets claiming that Ajax value Timber in the region of £50million. Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has given an update on Arsenal’s hopes of signing the young centre-back.
Romano states that Timber views Arsenal as the ‘perfect project’ for his next move, with Arteta playing an important role in convincing the Netherlands international. The transfer guru claims that the Gunners are set to submit an improved offer ‘soon’, with Ajax’s valuation said to be set at more than €40million (£38million).
