Arsenal decide next transfer priority after agreeing Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice deals

Arsenal will now decide whether their midfield requires additional surgery following the £105million club-record capture of Declan Rice as Dutch international central defender Jurrien Timber also prepares to undergo a medical in north London following a blockbuster double transfer breakthrough. In the past 24 hours, the Gunners have now formally agreed both deals with West Ham and Ajax respectively and despite various hurdles and delays, both targets are now expected to be officially unveiled as Arsenal players by the end of the week.

Arsenal will pay a British-record transfer fee for Rice, worth £100m plus £5m in add-ons while Timber joins on a long-term contract until June 2028 for an initial £34.3m plus just over £4m in bonuses.

Arsenal are now set to sanction the departure of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen in the coming days now a British-record deal has been wrapped up for Rice.

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has considered the prospect of a loan swoop for his former player but Arsenal would ideally favour a permanent transfer, or loan that includes an option or obligation to buy.

Despite links to Jeremie Frimpong and Benjamin Henrichs, Arsenal are not thought to be pushing for the signing of a new right-back particularly after Takehiro Tomiyasu returned to pre-season training with the Gunners at London Colney following successful knee surgery.