Arsenal Transfer News Today: Romano on Rice LATEST, Timber HINT and Havertz REVELATION

Graham Shaw

Updated: 27 Jun 2023 07:03 BST
6 min read

Declan Rice, West Ham, Man City, Arsenal — © ProShots

The race to sign Declan Rice is OFFICIALLY ON after Man City tabled their first bid, but DO NOT rule out Arsenal yet according to Fabrizio Romano.

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City, as expected, have entered the fray after offering £80m plus £10 in add-ons for the 24-year-old West Ham star on Monday night.

MORE: Premier League summer transfers: ALL the done deals

But Romano says the Gunners will bid again after having two Rice proposals rejected - the second worth £75m plus £15m in add-ons.

The Gunners lost out to Man City in the race for the Premier League title last season after leading for much of the season. They will see signing Rice as an absolute MUST in a bid to overhaul City at the top.

Rice's reported desire to remain in the London area remains the Gunners' biggest advantage in the race to sign the West Ham man.

The big winners in all of this of course are West Ham. David Moyes and co get exactly what they always wanted - a bidding war for Rice. Remember, they value him at north of £100m. Expect this one to run and run.

Massive Timber HINT as Gunners table second Ajax bid

Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior is looking forward to having “more competition” at the back next season, as the Gunners appear to close in on Ajax centre-half Jurrien Timber.

Timber is said to have agreed personal terms ahead of a proposed switch to the Emirates Stadium – although Ajax have yet to accept a bid for the 22-year-old Dutch international. The Gunners though have made a second proposal, which is now being considered.

But has Kiwior – who joined the Gunners from Spezia in January – just given the game away with his recent comments?

MORE: Havertz to Arsenal and nine transfers that could be completed this week

While away on international duty with Poland earlier this month, Kiwior told Polish outlet Meczyki: “I’m glad there’s going to be more competition [for places].

“It’s great that Timber is joining. Let the best players play at Arsenal. Let’s win matched and win trophies together.”

Kiwior was brought in to add defensive depth during the Gunners’ ultimately ill-fated 2022/23 Premier League title pursuit; the 23-year-old made eight appearances in all competitions in the latter half of the campaign.

REVEALED: Why Kai Havertz decided to sign for Arsenal

Kai Havertz chose to join Arsenal this summer as he believes they have the “best project in all of Europe” to improve him as a player.

That is according to the aforementioned Fabrizio Romano, who has explained why Havertz has made the decision to leave Chelsea for the Gunners.

A deal valued at approximately £65m has been agreed between Arsenal and Chelsea, with the transfer expected to become official next week.

“A lot of Arsenal’s players have been messaging Havertz,” Romano wrote in CaughtOffside.

“Their off-field connection already looks really, really good.

“Havertz believes that playing for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal was the best project, not just in England, but throughout the whole of Europe,” he added.

“Havertz thinks Arteta’s style, ideas and plans will only help make him a better player.”

© ProShots - Kai Havertz - huge praise for new club Arsenal.

Gunners have Rice PLAN B as Ligue 1 star targeted

Arsenal DO have a Plan B lined up should they fail to land Declan Rice, according to reports from France.

The Gunners have been trying to strike a deal for the West Ham captain for weeks, but their approaches have thus far been rebuffed by the Hammers, who are holding steadfast to their valuation north of €100 million.

There are conflicting reports as to who is holding the advantage in the race to sign Rice, so if push comes to shove the Gunners may eventually be forced to go after alternatives.

And they do already have one other option lined up, according to French media.

READ: Arsenal could WIN the transfer window this week with triple signing

L'Equipe claims that the Gunners are eyeing a move for Monaco star Youssouf Fofana should they fail to get the Rice deal over the line. And he certainly seems like an attractive option considering that he could apparently be a had for just £30 million (€35m) - pocket change compared to the money West Ham are asking for.

There is, however, the issue that Mikel Arteta and company aren't the only suitors. As we exclusively reported last week, Newcastle are also looking at the 24-year-old as a target.

MORE: Out Of Contract in 2023: Best players available on a free transfer