Arsenal remain in talks with West Ham over the signing of Declan Rice. Even if there is a value discrepancy, discussions have been praised. This week, while the Gunners approached Chelsea about acquiring Havertz, West Ham rejected the first Arsenal bid for Declan Rice, which was reportedly worth £80 million plus add-ons. It seems more and more likely that both players desire to join Arsenal. Given that Manchester City is keeping an eye on the position of England’s midfielder, Mikel Arteta may have competition for Rice. Manchester United is also reportedly interested, but it’s believed that they won’t submit an offer until they have new owners.
Although West Ham would accept a lower bid that included players heading to them, they want £120 million for their captain. Bayern Munich’s interest in Havertz, 24, might complicate Arsenal’s pursuit of him further. Havertz is now on the German champions’ shortlist of potential summer transfers after they altered their minds. Romeo Lavia of Southampton was reportedly the object of an Arsenal pursuit, giving Chelsea a clean road to Moises Caicedo. However, Arsenal is giving the transfers of Rice and Havertz first priority.
Arsenal will host Nottingham Forest to open the 2023–24 Premier League season on Saturday, August 12. After playing Crystal Palace and Fulham in two London derbies, the Gunners visit Manchester United in their first “Big Six” game of the season in early September. The fourth-and-final game of the season, the first North London derby of the year, is held at the Emirates Stadium on September 23. The rematch is on April 27.
The first matchup between Mikel Arteta’s team against the treble champions and title rivals from the previous season On October 7 at home, Manchester City will play its eighth game of the season. The rematch will be played on March 30 at the Etihad. Prior to their match against Guardiola’s City, Arsenal will face Brentford and Chelsea in back-to-back London derbies before taking on Brighton and Aston Villa a fortnight later. The Gunners’ last home game of the season was against Everton on May 19, one week after their final away game against Manchester United.
For more football news, click here
