Arsenal set to complete Declan Rice & Jurrien Timber signings on Friday

Arsenal could not have made a better start to the summer transfer window.

While the departure of Granit Xhaka, which was made official on Thursday, undoubtedly hurts, the club has taken great strides to rejuvenate their midfield with the arrival of Kai Havertz and impending addition of Declan Rice.

The Gunners’ seamless acquisition of Havertz makes sense when the mammoth pay packet the club offered the German is taken into account, but snagging Rice from West Ham was no easy task. It was a rollercoaster of a race that eventually pitted the Premier League’s top two last season against each other. Man City, however, were the first to blink as Arsenal eventually agreed a British record £105m deal with the Hammers.

It’s a signing that has the potential to be transformative and one that is set to be coupled with a crucial defensive addition.

Arsenal set to complete Declan Rice & Jurrien Timber signings on Friday

Deals for Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber were agreed within 24 hours of each other earlier this week, and both players are expected to undergo their medicals in north London on Friday.

James Benge writes that Rice’s official signing might not be completed on Friday, but supporters are hopeful that an announcement from the Gunners follows the midfielder’s medical. As for Timber, Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Thursday evening that the 22-year-old is in London ahead of his Friday medical.

These two arrivals will take Arsenal’s summer spending above the £200m mark following the £65m signing of Havertz. After the club tied down William Saliba and Reiss Nelson to contract extensions, the focus will now shift to outgoings ahead of the pre-season tour to the States.

The efficiency at which the Gunners have manoeuvred in the window thus far means, just like last summer, their new signings will enjoy the entire pre-season with Mikel Arteta and jet off across the Atlantic with the rest of the squad.