Arsenal edge closer to £90m double signing as club begins summer transfer spending

Arsenal are on the verge of agreeing deals to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea, in addition to Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, LondonWorld understands.

24-year-old Havertz recently emerged as a direct replacement for Granit Xhaka who is expected to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The Gunners have agreed on personal terms with Havertz and after positive discussions with their Chelsea counterparts. A fee in the region of £67.5million is close to being agreed.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have also agreed on personal terms with 22-year-old right back Jurrien Timber, who is set to make a £35 million move from Dutch giants Ajax. Although the exact fee is still being negotiated, there is confidence that a deal for the Holland international will be finalised in the coming days.

In other transfer news, West Ham have rejected Arsenal’s latest bid of £90 million for Declan Rice, as the Hammers are determined to hold out for at least £100 million

Rice is Arsenal’s priority signing this summer, with formal negotiations between the clubs commencing after West Ham’s UEFA Conference League final victory over Fiorentina.

Hammers owner David Sullivan revealed that he “promised” Rice he could leave the club this summer and the England midfielder is keen on making the switch to north London.

Additionally, it is expected that Ilkay Gundogan, another midfield target, will join Barcelona.