Arsenal's Game-Changing Transfer Move: Declan Rice Targeted Ahead of US Tour as Jurrien Timber Closes In

Arsenal are optimistic about finalizing the signing of Declan Rice prior to the squad's departure to the USA for their pre-season tour on Sunday.

Rice is in the process of completing his transfer to the Gunners from West Ham for a record-breaking fee of £105m, which comprises an initial payment of £100m and £5m in additional bonuses.

The signing of Rice will nearly match the British transfer record set by Chelsea in January, when they spent £106.8m to acquire Enzo Fernandez from Benfica. This deal will exceed Arsenal's previous highest purchase of £72m for Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019.

In addition, it is anticipated that Arsenal will officially announce the acquisition of Jurrien Timber, giving the club optimism that they can incorporate the talented defender into their team for the upcoming friendly match against FC Nurnberg on Thursday.

Timber's medical is complete in preparation for his £38m transfer from Ajax, and the details for a long-term contract are currently being finalized. Arsenal will make an initial payment of £34m for Timber, with the rest of the fee comprising performance-related add-ons.

Balogun asking price set at £50m

Following the signing of Timber, who has primarily played as a right-back, a role that Ben White occupied last season, and can also operate as a centre-back, Arsenal's attention is now shifting towards acquiring transfers for players who do not feature in Mikel Arteta's plans.

Folarin Balogun, Nicolas Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Cedric Soares are currently up for grabs.

Balogun has garnered significant attention from clubs across Europe, such as AC Milan, Marseille, and Monaco. However, no official offers have been put forward for the striker yet. Arsenal values him at £50m.

Balogun - who was eligible for England but has committed his international future to the USA - scored 22 goals in 39 games while on loan at French side Reims last season.

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Do Folarin Balogun have a future at Arsenal?

Lokonga, who was loaned to Crystal Palace in the second half of the previous season, has expressed the need to relocate in order to secure consistent playing time.

Pepe was loaned to Nice throughout the 2022/23 season, alongside Tavares, who was with Marseille, and Cedric, who played for Fulham.

European clubs are also showing interest in Thomas Partey, with two years left on his contract. If Arsenal manages to generate sufficient funds from sales, they are open to the possibility of re-entering the market.

What Rice adds to Arsenal and where he fits...

Strengthening the club's right-sided attacking choices has been a key focus during recent transfer windows, and the possibility of signing another midfielder is not off the table if Partey departs.

Arsenal's realization of the potential value in acquiring Declan Rice was solidified in April when, during their 2-2 draw with West Ham at the London Stadium, a moment after the thirty-minute mark occurred.

Mikel Arteta's team had a comfortable two-goal lead and appeared to be on their way to a win that would have put them six points ahead of Manchester City. However, everything changed thanks to a brilliant display of quick thinking from a player Arsenal is currently trying to sign for a record fee.

Rice noticed that Kieran Tierney was about to send a pass towards Thomas Partey in the deep Arsenal half. Reacting swiftly, Rice sprinted to close down the Ghanaian player, managing to intercept the ball just in time. He then carried the ball into the penalty box and expertly found Lucas Paqueta, who was rushing towards the goal.

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Rice's involvement in the subsequent penalty, which was gained by Paqueta and converted by Said Benrahma, significantly altered the game's momentum, potentially even impacting the title race.

Where does Rice's transfer fee rank?

The passage of play demonstrated numerous attributes that make Rice highly desirable to Arsenal: his exceptional ability to anticipate and seize opportunities, his impressive speed and strength in retrieving the ball, and his composed nature in setting up his teammates and pressuring the opposition into conceding penalties.

Jude Bellingham became the most expensive English player of all time when he made the £115m move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid earlier this month.

Rice becomes the second most expensive ever, costing £5m more than the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in August 2021.

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It would also be only the third time an English club has paid over £100m for a player.

Analysis: Why Timber fits the bill for Arsenal

Introducing Nick Wright:

With a remarkable record of almost 200 senior games under his belt at the tender age of 22, Timber is the ideal candidate for Arsenal's pursuit of youthful expertise.

He also brings versatility and adaptability,

. Timber has primarily played as a centre-back in a back four for Ajax and typically operates in a back three for the Dutch national team. However, he is equally capable of filling in at right-back and also possesses the ability to tuck into midfield.

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Jurrien Timber's passing ability is a big part of his appeal to Arsenal

Crucial for Arteta, who values full-backs who venture into central areas with the ball, Timber possesses numerous qualities that entice the Arsenal boss. Renowned for his defensive prowess, excelling in both tackles and aerial duels, Timber's greatest asset lies in his exceptional passing ability. His prowess with the ball is confirmed by the statistics, highlighting his vital role for Ajax in this aspect.

Timber was the player with the highest number of touches and passes in the Eredivisie last season. Additionally, he excelled in forward passes, demonstrating his ability to both maintain possession and initiate attacking plays. Arsenal will greatly benefit from his skills, as their defenders are required to withstand opposition pressing and initiate the team's offensive moves. Arteta is optimistic about utilizing Timber's talent in this aspect of the game not only for the upcoming season but also for the future.

Explained: How Arsenal can afford big-money summer signings

According to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, Arsenal's apparent increased readiness to invest is a "reward" for Mikel Arteta.

The reason for this is that they have successfully controlled their wages.

Arsenal currently maintains lower wage expenditures compared to 2018. They are £150m to £170m less than Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City. This has provided them with the necessary flexibility to enter the market and acquire new players without excessive concerns.

In addition, they enjoy the added advantages of participating in Champions League matches, which brings in premium prices and guarantees a minimum prize money of £50m. When considering all these factors, it is likely that they still have some flexibility in terms of their spending capacity during the current window.

When questioned about Arsenal's strategy change, he replied, "Indeed, there has been a shift in their approach. They underwent a period of decline, experiencing several years without qualifying for the Champions League.

However, they successfully eliminated high-earning players, such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, from their wage bill. As a result, they now possess the capability to actively compete in the market and strive to match the standards set by other clubs."

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Rumors swirl about potential departures this summer, as the transfer window draws to a close at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland.

Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on We News.