Chelsea transfer could free up Arsenal Declan Rice move as Gunners send scout to Brazil

It's a nervy week for Arsenal fans as they wait until Friday night to rectify the two points dropped against West Ham at the weekend.

All of a sudden, the Premier League title race has closed right up with an in-form Manchester City side just four points behind with a game in hand before meeting the Gunners at the Etihad next week.

First up is a trip to Southampton on Friday evening and these are the latest transfer rumours from Arsenal in the meantime.

Chelsea could play key role in unlocking Arsenal Declan Rice deal

Chelsea's transfer plans this summer could play a key role in facilitating an Arsenal swoop for Declan Rice in a very roundabout way.

Metro reports that a transfer chain involving Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea and RB Leipzig could be set up when the transfer window opens with funds being exchanged and eventually spent on the Hammers' in-demand midfielder.

The Blues are set to activate a £52 million release clause in the contract of Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku this summer in Todd Boehly's latest big splurge.

That would leave the Bundesliga outfit lacking firepower up front and a push to bring in in-form Arsenal man Folarin Balogun, who has impressed at Ligue 1 side Reims this year with 18 goals to his name.

The Gunners signed Balogun last year, but he came in before the club pulled off a coup to land Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.

With Jesus and deputy Eddie Nketiah impressing this term, Arsenal could let Balogun leave for £40 million with those funds going towards the £100 spend on Declan Rice.

Arsenal send scout to Copa Libertadores

Arsenal will have a pair of eyes taking in the Copa Libertadores match between Flamengo and Ñublense this evening.

Torcedores reports that staff member Jonathan Vidallè, who used to work for Boca Juniors, will be in attendance in South America keeping an eye on 19-year-old Matheus França.

Wonderkid França is marked as a star of the future and has also been watched by Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

The teenager has broken into the Flamengo first team this year and could be lured to Arsenal with the presence of compatriots Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in attack.