It could be a crucial week for Arsenal in the summer transfer window. The Gunners are yet to announce an incoming but sporting director Edu Gaspar has been incredibly busy behind the scenes.
Mikel Arteta's side had a magnificent 2022/23 campaign and the former Manchester City coach will be hoping the Brazilian can get a number of deals over the line in the coming weeks. football.london understands that the first-team players are due to report back to the club's training base at London Colney following their summer holidays during the first week of July.
The Gunners are then due to fly out to Germany for a summer training camp at the Adidas HQ, with the first pre-season friendly against Nurnberg taking place on July 13. Arteta will want to have the majority of Arsenal's incomings completed by then so the Spaniard can get his ideas across in good time before the Premier League season kicks off on August 12.
Arteta and Edu have held a number of conversations about transfer targets and plans are well underway to improve the squad for the 2023/24 campaign. "Mikel and I talked, and we believe we can raise our performance to a new level," Edu told ESPN Brasil.
"Now we have to do good work in the transfer window, we have to understand what we need, get the right athletes, the right traits, and the right athlete mentality so we can raise our squad’s level again."
So, with that said, football.london takes a look at the three deals Arsenal could complete this week ahead of pre-season officially starting.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Third Declan Rice bid, Timber agreement, Smith Rowe message
Declan Rice
This is the big one. Perhaps the worst kept secret in football.
football.london understands West Ham captain Declan Rice is Arsenal's priority target this window. The Gunners have so far had two bids rejected by the Hammers but are expected to lodge a third in the coming days.
Arsenal offered West Ham an initial sum of £80 million for Rice over six years with a further £10m of add-ons in their first bid for the midfielder. The Gunners' second formal offer was worth £90m, with a £75m upfront fee and a further £15m available in add-ons.
However, the Hammers want at least £100million for the England international and are standing firm on their valuation. While interest from Manchester City complicates matters, football.london understands that Arsenal will beat Pep Guardiola's side to the signing of Rice if they either table an offer that exceeds £100m or one which guarantees a significant fee to be paid upfront.
Arteta was asked about the West Ham midfielder during an in-depth interview with Marca, which was published at the weekend. Of course, the Spaniard remained coy on the subject.
Asked about Rice's valuation, Arteta replied: "I can't talk about players who are not in the club. I prefer not to say anything."
While it is said Rice would prefer a move to Arsenal over Man City, it's in the Gunners' best interests to get a deal done sooner rather than later. The majority of Arsenal supporters will be hoping a deal is finalised this week.
Kai Havertz
Arsenal's interest in Kai Havertz somewhat came out of the blue and it was a surprise to many when it was reported that the Gunners had agreed a deal to sign the Chelsea forward. football.london understands the deal is worth £60m, with an additional £5m worth of add-ons.
football.london has been told the Gunners could unveil Havertz as early as this week, with the German international undergoing a medical overseas at the weekend. Havertz himself was pictured with Arsenal midfielder Jorginho at Kepa Arrizabalaga's wedding in Marbella over the weekend, with the Italian midfielder posting a picture of the pair alongside plenty of eyes emojis, seemingly hinting that a deal is close to being announced.
Arteta was also asked about Havertz in his interview with Marca and the Spaniard was honest in his assessment of the former Bayer Leverkusen man.
He said: “Talent comes at a price, and at Arsenal, we are always interested in youngsters with experience. I repeat I'm not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai, he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League.
“He is a talented player, versatile and only 24 years old."
This deal appears done and it's perhaps only a matter of when and not if the signing will be announced.
Jurrien Timber
Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is another player Edu is hoping to sign for Arsenal. The Gunners had an opening bid of £30m rebuffed by the Dutch giants last week but a second proposal was submitted on Monday.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, a second official offer has now been submitted and the Gunners hope to get the deal done by the end of this week. "Talks advancing between clubs after £30m opening bid rejected. Personal terms agreed last week on five year contract," Romano said.
Arteta is said to be a fan of Timber, 22, because of his versatility and ability to play out from the back. According to Sky in Germany, the defender is also a fan of the Gunners following their impressive 2022/23 season and only wants to join the north Londoners this summer.
Personal terms have been agreed between Timber and Arsenal and it's said Ajax are holding out for a fee of between €40-45m (£34.9-£38.6m) plus bonuses. It remains to be seen if the Dutch side accept Arsenal's second proposal but a deal appears to be edging closer.
