Arsenal eyes Ajax' Timber, set to get Kai Havertz

Arsenal transfer news: Thomas Partey's future, Kai Havertz rumours, Declan Rice pursuit, defensive targets, and striker options.

Ajax' Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is on Arsenal's list of potential addition this summer with an opening bid already rejected. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Arsenal’s transfer season is agog with activities, but fans can’t rest based on antecedents and some unpleasant news they’re hearing from their beloved club.

Thomas Partey may have had a difficult second half of the just-concluded season, but Arsenal fans are not prepared to see him leave the club amidst news that Saudi Arabia has opened talks with him as the oil-rich nation continues to build something special.

While Arsenal fans don’t want to see their Ghanaian talent leave, they just can’t comprehend their beloved club going after Chelsea’s Kai Havertz.

The German forward endured a difficult season with the Blues, and many won’t stop wondering why Arsenal is interested in him.

The Gunners are believed to be prepared to part ways with Granit Xhaka this summer, and a replacement is inevitable, but can Havertz bring defensive balance to the table? 

The German is technical, no doubt, and would chip in goals, but can he bring leadership to the Arsenal squad?

Chelsea leads the race for Moises Caicedo, and that has seen the Gunners move for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia following his impressive season with the Saints last season. 

Despite their relegation, Lavia stood to be counted, and he’s about to get a move away.

West Ham is willing to allow Declan Rice to leave if anyone meets their valuation of him.

Arsenal has already seen a £80m plus bonus rejected by the Hammers, but reports suggest the Gunners remain keen and would go again for the midfield enforcer.

Defensively, Arsenal suffered for depth when William Saliba got injured. 

Ben White remained at right back, and that meant Rob Holding would slot in beside Gabriel Meghalaes.

It proved to be a failure as Arsenal continued to concede before Mikel Arteta introduced Jacob Kiwior.

Arsenal reportedly dropped a £30 million bid for Ajax defender Jurien Timber, and as expected, the Dutch club rejected it, but it is believed that the Gunners would go again. 

Signing Timber would mean Arsenal are defensively covered, as the player can slot in at CB and RB.

Does Arsenal need a striker? 

Maybe yes, considering the contract situation of Folarin Balogun and Edward Nketiah. 

If Arsenal does go for a striker, he must be one that knows where the goalpost is, not one that sits in the middle and distributes passes.

Arsenal's season could be interesting if they keep Partey and get Haverts, Lavia, and Declan Rice alongside the Ajax defender. 

Finishing second behind Manchester City was a laudable feat; it can even get better if they do great business.