Arsenal have found themselves significantly intertwined with Chelsea thus far in the summer transfer window. The obvious link comes in the form of Declan Rice, with both London clubs holding a long-term interest, and now similarities are there involving three more players following on from the Blues' agreement to sell Jorginho to Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Understandably, with the London-based duo both looking likely to lose numerous midfielders and thus bolster their ranks in that position, other targets alongside Rice are being looked at by both. Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo was wanted by both in the winter window and that interest has continued into the summer, but the Blues now hold the distinct advantage.
A transfer to Emirates Stadium looked more likely for the 21-year-old earlier this year, but now, with Mikel Arteta's firm focus on Rice, Chelsea are frontrunners for his signature. Mauricio Pochettino is expected to sanction Chelsea's second bid for the Ecuador international in the coming days after a £60million opening offer was swiftly rejected earlier this month.
Southampton star Romeo Lavia is another engine room option that is appreciated by both. Rice and Caicedo are the top midfield targets for Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively, but the battle for Lavia could be the most important following the latest Thomas Partey update.
According to The Athletic, both Arsenal and the players' representatives are working on an exit with interest from Saudi Arabia. Granit Xhaka is on the verge of being confirmed as a new Bayer Leverkusen player with the Gunners waiting to seal their first addition before giving the green light. His predominant midfield partner from last season could also now depart with both the club and player open to a departure with the right proposal.
The experienced duo leaving, in a position that Arsenal already wanted to bolster, makes the need for the Gunners to beat Chelsea to sign Rice, Caicedo and Lavia, crucial. West Ham and Brighton value their midfield lynchpins at £100million each, while the Saints are hoping to get at least £45million for their Belgian teenager, totalling a £245million triple swoop that would be rather ambitious, but achievable given Arsenal's lofty summer budget and the possibility of sales garnering extra funds.
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The Blues are also facing a midfield exodus of their own with Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante close to leaving and further exits planned for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher.
Based on that, Chelsea will also be in the market for more than one midfielder and with their transfer plans matching those of Arsenal, it is hardly surprising both are looking at the same targets. The Gunners could also strike a Jorginho repeat as Kai Havertz has been the recipient of two bids from north London.
According to the Daily Mail, a second offer totalling £60million has been made, with £55million in guaranteed fees and £5million in add-ons. That move could make signing all three of their targeted midfielders difficult but not wholly impossible, especially as two key members of that department likely won't be at the club for the 2023/24 season.
A defensive addition is also wanted by Arteta with a £30million bid sent to Ajax for Jurrien Timber on Monday evening, and the 22-year-old's ability to also play in midfield and at right-back would make him a great addition. Chelsea have the capabilities to pull off a triple transfer but outgoings are their priority at the moment and the glaring hole up front is also something that needs fixing by Pochettino.
After such a superb campaign, it is certainly interesting that Arsenal are willing to sell two hugely important players in the same window. A rebuild of sorts is needed, with both Xhaka and Partey pushing 30, but doing so carefully and slowly is probably the better pathway to take.
Giving the green light for a double exit means in that very same window, their replacements must be better and all three main targets certainly can, with Rice arguably already there, occupy that category. Raising the funds will of course be the main issue, especially with regard to signing all three over Chelsea, but at least getting two to join is hugely important.
Caicedo and Rice being the significantly more expensive stars makes the battle for Lavia very important as whoever is able to obtain his signature can best-prepare themselves for the upcoming season.
