Arsenal are ‘confident’ that they will get deals over the line for both Declan Rice and Kai Havertz soon, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.
The Gunners have been working away on a number of deals as they look to improve on a successful 2022/23 campaign which saw them finish as runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League.
Arsenal took big strides forward with the signings of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko helping to improve their squad and now they have extra money from Champions League qualification.
It has been clear from before the end of the season that West Ham midfielder Rice was going to be the Gunners’ main target this summer with the England international admitting his desire to play in the Champions League as soon as possible.
The latest reports have claimed that another ‘top club’ is set to make a bid for Rice, who is valued at around £100m, with Manchester City mooted as a potential destination, although it appears that Rice would prefer to stay in London.
And reliable journalist Plettenberg has eased fears among Arsenal fans that they could miss out on Rice by claiming that deals for both the West Ham midfielder and Chelsea forward Havertz are at an “advanced stage”.
READ MORE: Arsenal £20m short on two deals; Man Utd haggle with Chelsea: rejected bids and where they stand
Plettenberg wrote on Twitter: “Been told Arsenal is very confident to sign both: Rice & Havertz! Despite of the fact that Chelsea has rejected the first offer. Arteta is pushing for Havertz!
“@Arsenal are in advanced stages with both players No Bayern offer for #Havertz yet. Arsenal is planning the next steps. Bayern‘s next transfer meeting scheduled next week.”
Not everyone is convinced that Havertz – who could cost as much as £70m this summer – would be the right signing for Arsenal this summer.
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour reckons a proper striker is needed more than Havertz with the Germany international not prolific in front of goal.
Parlour told talkSPORT: “You need an out and out goalscorer, if you’re Arsenal. They’ve got so much good backup play behind the striker, but they need someone to put the ball in the net. For me, I don’t think that’s the right signing. But obviously Edu and Mikel Arteta will be talking behind the scenes and thinking he can play here or there.
“There might be a plan for him. Any player coming into any club, you’ve got to give them a chance. But for me, it’s a shame, I’d have gone for Ivan Toney but he’s obviously got that ban and whether they want to take a chance with that…but he would have been the obvious choice for me.”
And former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique doesn’t think Arsenal need Havertz, he told his own YouTube channel: “To be honest with Arsenal having Jesus and Nketiah in that number nine position and even playing as a false nine, moreso Gabriel Jesus, I don’t think they need him, even if he is a good player, I don’t think they need him.”