Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners waiting on Man City Rice bid, £65m Kai Havertz MEDICAL this weekend, Xhaka 'exit' | The Sun
DECLAN RICE would prefer to join Arsenal over Manchester City this summer, it's been reported.
West Ham are expecting the treble winners to bid for their £100million plus rated captain having already rejected two bids from Arsenal.
Should they accept an offer from Pep Guardiola's side that the Gunners are unwilling to match, the decision will not be down to Rice.
However, the England midfielder is aiming to stay in London and has been keen on a move to Arsenal since their interest became clear.
Elsewhere, Kai Havertz is expected to have his Arsenal medical this weekend, with a £65m move from Chelsea getting closer.
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- By Alex Smith
Rice bids today
West Ham are expecting a bid from potentially Man City and Arsenal today for Declan Rice.
There was reports that City had bid last night but these rumours were rubbished by a West Ham source.
However, the club are prepared for a third offer from Arsenal as City enter the race officially today.
- By Chisanga Malata
Rice’s Twitter tease
Declan Rice has hinted that his days at West Ham are numbered.
The midfielder is the subject of interest from both Arsenal and Manchester City, the former of whom have had two bids rejected for the England international.
The Hammers ace has remained coy on his future, although his recent change of Twitter profile picture has seemingly indicated his intention to leave the London Stadium.
Rice’s new Twitter cover picture features a graphic with numerous images of himself throughout the years at West Ham.
- By Chisanga Malata
Havertz Medical Latest
Kai Havertz is set to undergo his Arsenal medical in the coming days.
The Gunners have agreed a shock £65million deal for the Germany midfielder with their London rivals Chelsea.
All that remains for the 24-year-old to join Mikel Arteta’s troops is for him to complete his medical.
And according to Football London, that will take place “over the weekend.”
- By Chisanga Malata
Rice urged to snub Gunners
Former Manchester United hitman Dwight Yorke reckons Declan Rice should opt to join treble-winners Manchester City if he wants to win trophies.
Speaking to Lord Ping, Yorke said: "If it was me and Manchester City were interested, then they would be the first choice because of how they play and the trophies they win.
"I wouldn't rule Manchester United out because they're on an upwards trajectory and want to get better.
"I wouldn't go to Chelsea at the moment because of the disgruntled team.
"Arsenal would be a good choice if I wanted to stay in London, but Manchester City would be my first choice and Manchester United second."
- By Chisanga Malata
City 'close' to sealing Rice deal
Manchester City are confident of stealing Declan Rice from under Arsenal's noses.
The Premier League champions recently entered the race to sign the England international – who is the Gunners' top summer target.
City – who won a historic treble last season – have yet to launch a bid for the 24-year-old's services.
Sky Italia, however, claim their "confidence in the closing of the definitive agreement" with West Ham is growing.
- By Chisanga Malata
Captain fantastic
Mikel Arteta reportedly sees Declan Rice as a future leader of his Arsenal squad.
The Gunners have tabled two bids for the West Ham and England midfielder but have had both of their approaches knocked back.
Arteta is understood to be a big admirer of the 24-year-old, who according to the Daily Mail, he views as a future captain of the club.
Arsenal are set to return with an improved offer for Rice due to the fear of being gazumped by Premier League champions Manchester City.
- By Chisanga Malata
Partey pooped
Thomas Partey has reportedly agreed a deal to join Italian giants Juventus.
The midfielder has seemingly been deemed to be surplus to requirements by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Reports in Italy claimed the Ghanaian was sounding out an offer from Juve.
And according to Sky Sports Italia, Partey's team have hashed out personal terms with the Old Lady.
- By Chisanga Malata
Havertz pursuit slammed
Arsenal have been accused of not learning their lesson with their swoop of Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz – which is on the brink of being finalised.
Former Prem star Gabriel Agbonlahor told Football Insider:“I don’t understand that transfer its very strange.
“Arsenal haven’t learned their lesson with transfers, Kai Havertz is not a clinical striker.
“He is not an out-and-out number nine, which what Arsenal need as they currently have Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah but require an upgrade on them.
“It would be a wrong deal for the Gunners, and I am sure that their fans would agree.”
- By Chisanga Malata
Arsenal pull out of race for midfielder
Arsenal have reportedly ended their interest in Moises Caicedo.
The Gunners were interested in signing the Brighton midfielder in January but a deal never came to fruition.
Mikel Arteta was understood to be keen on renewing his interest in the Ecuadorian this month.
But according to Football Insider, the North Londoners have ended their pursuit of the Seagulls star.
Credit: Getty
- By Chisanga Malata
Rice urged to force move
Declan Rice has been urged to force West Ham's hand and "kick off" to get his desired move to Arsenal.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, Danny Murphy said:"As of now City aren’t in, so Arsenal don’t have to rush it,’ the former midfielder said.
"It gets to a point where Declan has a decision to make, and that and that means has he got the courage to kick off to get out if he needs to.
"You have to be Craig Bellamy, Joey Barton. You have to look after yourself.
"I only had it once in my career and you have to be able to follow through."
Credit: PA - By Chisanga Malata
Hav that
Kai Havertz will be paid £200,000-a-week at the Emirates.
Arsenal moved quickly to prepare a contract, with Chelsea equally keen on a swift sale.
And Havertz is now set to become the 14th player to star for both sides in England’s top flight.
The German joined Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £62m in 2020.
- By Chisanga Malata
City tipped to snap up Rice
Manchester City will pip Arsenal to the signature of Declan Rice.
That’s according to former West Ham ace Nigel Reo-Coker, who told the BBC: “Where is he going?
“That is going to be interesting because it’s the midfielders market this year.
“Personally, I think he wants to go to Arsenal, but I think West Ham won’t make it easy for him.
“There is real interest from Manchester City too with the situation with [Ilkay] Gundogan and [Bernardo] Silva.
“I do personally believe there is strong interest from there, but I could see him going to Man City if I’m honest. That’s just my personal opinion.”
Credit: REX - By Chisanga Malata
Rice makes his decision
Declan Rice still wants to join Arsenal – even though Manchester City are set to join the battle for his signature, reports SunSport's Jack Rosser.
West Ham are expecting the treble winners to bid for their £100million-plus rated captain having already rejected two bids from Arsenal.
Should they accept an offer from Pep Guardiola's side that the Gunners are unwilling to match, the decision will not be down to Rice.
However, the England midfielder is aiming to stay in London and has been keen on a move to Arsenal since their interest became clear.
- By Kostas Lianos
Axel Disasi hijack
Manchester United remain in the driving seat to sign Monaco star Axel Disasi but Premier League rivals Arsenal as well as Chelsea could look to hijack the deal.
According to RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins, United manager Erik ten Hag is set to speak to Disasi in the coming days.
Hawkins adds that the Ligue 1 outfit will discuss a deal worth around £34million for the centre-back.
The reporter also claims that Arsenal and Chelsea admire the France international and are monitoring his current situation.
The Gunners are prioritising a move for Ajax ace Jurrien Timber but the Blues have a vacancy at the back after allowing Kalidou Koulibaly to depart for Saudi Arabia.
- By Chisanga Malata
Rice's Twitter tease
Declan Rice has hinted that his days at West Ham are numbered.
The midfielder the subject of interest from both Arsenal and Manchester City, the former of whom have had two bids rejected for the England international.
The Hammers ace has remained coy on his future, although his recent change of Twitter profile picture has seemingly indicated his intention to leave the London Stadium.
Rice's new Twitter cover picture features a graphic with numerous images of himself throughout the years at West Ham.
- By Chisanga Malata
Hav a word
Arsenal superfan Piers Morgan has revealed he's underwhelmed at the prospect of Kai Havertz joining the Gunners.
The North Londoners are on the brink of signing the Germany international from Chelsea.
But long-time Gooner is less than enthused by the imminent signing, tweeting: "Am I the only Arsenal fan underwhelmed by this news?
"Why does Arteta think under-performing Chelsea stars are the missing link to our Title chances?"
- By Chisanga Malata
Timber's agent spotted in Araenal gear
Jurrien Timber's agent has reportedly been spotted donning Arsenal attire.
The Gunners are on the verge of signing the defender from Ajax.
And a recent snap of his representative has gone viral.
Make of it what you will.
- By Chisanga Malata
Partey Pooper
Thomas Partey is reportedly favouring a move to Juventus if he's to leave the Emirates this summer.
Fabrizio Romano tweeted: "Understand Thomas Partey considers Juventus as priority, he hopes to stay in Europe — talks will follow as there’s still no official proposal.
"Arsenal are prepared to let Thomas go but important proposal will be needed after Saudi approaches."
Credit: Getty - By Chisanga Malata
Rice prediction made
Arsenal have been tipped to miss out on the signature of Declan Rice – with Sam Allardyce expecting the England midfielder to join Premier League champions Manchester City.
hen asked to predict Rice’s new club, Big Sam told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast Man City – and someone will go the other way.
“If I know Moysey [West Ham boss David Moyes], there would have to be a player in the deal for him and that would mean it would be easier for the club who is buying him because they wouldn’t have to pay David Sullivan’s asking price.
“It would be over £100million in total but it would be so much under that if they include a player that would take the deal over £100m. And then David gets a new player he needs.”
- By Chisanga Malata
Timber's urged to seal Gunners move
Jurrien Timber's former team-mate Ubry Emanuelson has urged the Dutchman to reject a late move to Manchester United and stay on course with his switch to Arsenal.
Emanuelson told Sport Witness: "Timber has had a few good years.
"Maybe a little less last season, but in my opinion, he is a very great talent.
"I know that the Timber family is very good at planning the careers of the brothers.
"On the one hand, I think Jur is ready for the step. On the other hand, if you’ve had a lesser season at Ajax… I find it difficult to advise him.
"I would choose Arsenal. Why? They treat young players very well there. If you see how they deal with [Gabriel] Martinelli, [Martin] Odegaard, [Bukayo] Saka … They are all guys who are allowed to make mistakes and are made important at the same time."
Credit: Getty - By Chisanga Malata
Timber Talks
Jurrien Timber’s twin brother has conceded he “doesn’t know” if his sibling – who is wanted by Arsenal – will be at Ajax next season.
Quentin told Dutch outlet NOS: “I don’t know if there was an offer.”
When asked if his brother will still be at the Johan Cruyff Arena come the start of the season, he said: “I don’t know.”
- By Chisanga Malata
Piers Morgan fumes
Arsenal super-fan Piers Morgan has fumed at the club's reluctance to give West Ham the £100million they want for Declan Rice – who is also being courted by Manchester City.
He tweeted: I’m not sure my spleen will survive City wrestling Rice away from us because we once again preferred pointless penny-pinching to getting crucial business done."
- By Chisanga Malata
Rice warning
Arsenal have been warned that Declan Rice lacks the passing nous to be a top midfielder.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, Graeme Souness said: "If you’re looking for a top, top midfield player, I don’t believe he has enough cute passing in him to be that.
"I think he’d be a really good guy, he’d be great to work with, extremely athletic, he senses danger so he’s got that part of a central midfield player’s game, he’s got that.
"So he’s got that instinctively, but what he doesn’t have is cute and clever passes when he gets into the last third.
"I think he’s a little bit predictable when he gets on the ball personally."
- By Chisanga Malata
Havertz Medical Latest
Kai Havertz is set to undergo his Arsenal medical in the coming days.
The Gunners have agreed a shock £65million deal for the Germany midfielder with their London rivals Chelsea.
All that remains for the 24-year-old to join Mikel Arteta's troops is for him to complete his medical.
And according to Football London, that will take place "over the weekend."
- By Kostas Lianos
City to deliver blow
West Ham are interested in Manchester City ace Kalvin Phillips and their admiration of the midfielder could spell bad news for Arsenal's pursuit of Declan Rice.
According to ESPN, City may offer Phillips plus cash for Rice during the summer transfer window.
The England international joined the Treble winners from Leeds in a £42million switch last year.
The 27-year-old has failed to make an impact at the Etihad thus far, starting only four games across all competitions during an injury-hit campaign.
West Ham manager David Moyes remains a huge fan of Phillips, having tried to bring him to East London in January 2022.
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