According to reports, Arsenal is said to be anticipating the inclusion of both Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber in their squad for the pre-season tour of the United States. The Gunners, however, have not officially confirmed Rice’s transfer from West Ham United, as the finer details concerning the add-ons in his £105 million switch are believed to be the cause of the delay.
On the other hand, Timber, who currently plays for Ajax, is set to make his way to the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta’s team apparently winning the race for the Dutchman’s signature amidst competition from several other clubs during the summer transfer window.
The Evening Standard has reported that Arsenal expects to finalize both deals within the next day, allowing Rice and Timber to join the rest of the squad for the club’s tour in the United States. It has been stated that both players have already undergone medical examinations, with Timber’s transfer fee estimated to be around £38.5 million.
During the ongoing summer window, Arsenal has already made one signing, securing the services of German international Kai Havertz from Chelsea. According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Rice’s signing is expected to be announced on Friday, as all the necessary paperwork is now prepared for signing.
Plettenberg suggests that the overall cost of Rice’s transfer could potentially reach £120 million, including various additional payments, as West Ham remains steadfast in their valuation of the player.
In the previous season, Rice delivered impressive performances for West Ham, featuring in 50 matches across all competitions. He contributed five goals and four assists during this period. Additionally, in the Europa Conference League, Rice scored once and provided one assist in 11 appearances, ultimately helping his team secure the trophy by defeating Fiorentina in the final.
Manchester City was also in the running to sign the young English talent, but they eventually withdrew from the race due to the perceived high cost of the deal.
As for Timber, he was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer, with the Red Devils’ head coach Erik ten Hag reportedly eager to reunite with the Netherlands international. Although Timber signed a contract extension with Ajax in August of last year, committing to the club until June 2025, his time with the Amsterdam-based team is now drawing to a close.
Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States will commence with a match against the MLS All-Stars on July 19. Subsequently, they will face Manchester United and Barcelona before returning to Europe.