Agreed. They are trying VERY hard to get someone else into the mix to drive up the price. Rice has been unwavering so far and Arsenal have been intent on keeping the price under 100m.

In a world where my go to Taco Bell order is now like $12 I guess it makes sense that Declan Rice is being considered worth over 100 m, but seriously, this is insane.

Worst part of that is Bellingham going to Real for 88m. I like Rice alot but in what world should be cost more than Bellingham?

Not to mention I recall it being reported that West Ham wanted Bellingham money for Rice.

Everything I am reading indicates that the total amount of our 2 bids (both around 90m) aren't the problem. The issue is the payment terms (they want a bunch up front) and the add-ons are seen as unlikely and they are looking for sure thing.

If that is accurate I think my next offer would be 80-85m with no add-ons. Offer them X percent up front and the rest split even over Y years. Just make X high enough that they get their preferred up front money. No add-ons means there is no squabbling over attainable bonuses because the entire offer is guaranteed.

Lot of stuff popping up about Partey this afternoon. Talking about 3 Saudi clubs wanting him. Downside is all 3 are owned by PIF so no possible bidding war. Those ****ers are ruining the sport

And they are also invested in chelsea, so look forward to them buying players from them well above market value in order to bail them out.

Already teams calling for someone to investigate the Saudi's for their dealings with Chelsea. Already 4+ Chelsea players set to leave for Saudi Arabia as soon as the window opens. Lot's of accusations of shady financial dealings.

chjoak said:

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Already teams calling for someone to investigate the Saudi's for their dealings with Chelsea. Already 4+ Chelsea players set to leave for Saudi Arabia as soon as the window opens. Lot's of accusations of shady financial dealings.

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The league should force a sale there but I won't be holding my breath.

🚨 Arsenal close to agreement with Chelsea to sign Kai Harvertz for fee in region of £65m. Talks ongoing to finalise structure (instalments + add-ons). Personal terms in place & subject to deal being done, medical will be scheduled @TheAthleticFC #AFC #CFC https://t.co/B24O9cCnhF

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 21, 2023

Seeing other sources that are claiming it is 50+15 with the 50 paid over 3 yrs.

Tidbits from Orny on the Athletic...

- all indications are that Balogun will be sold. He would like to stay at Arsenal but still seems to expect/want to be the starting ST next season and Arteta is bot willing to offer those guarantees.
- suggests that Rice signing will mean Partey is no longer the starter. Validates what some of said about his expected position and one reason why Partey seems to be looking around.
- we've never priorized Caicedo or Lavia this window but are keeping tabs and could move on either depending on the deal & outgoings.

And now agreement is done...

🚨 Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Chelsea to sign forward Kai Havertz. Deal for 24yo Germany international is worth around £65m. Personal terms are already in place, attacker’s medical will follow in due course @TheAthleticFC #AFC #CFC https://t.co/B24O9cCnhF

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 21, 2023

Romano says it is a 60+5 deal. I've seen others suggest 50+15. Either way it sounds like medicals and contracts will happen this week.

J. #Timber wants to join Arsenal as his move was prepared in detail in the last weeks. #Ajax in negotiations with Arsenal now.

➡️ Agreement expected between €40-45m.

ManUtd no topic as they have a similar profile with Martinez. @SkySportDE 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/1G15sSayFj

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 21, 2023

Have seen pics & claims that he, his girlfriend and his agent flew to London yesterday.

Also, seeing rumors that West Ham are tapping the breaks on Rice negotiations hoping to give City or ManU time to throw their hat into the ring.

There are rumors that ManU is interested and plan to offer 50m + one of McTominay/Maguire. I could see ManU trying this but don't see WH wanting either player.

Rumors that City was gonna offer Phillips + cash but Phillips is refusing to leave (or atleast leave for WH). Personally think this rumor was bogus and don't really think City is gonna jump in. They supposedly were looking at Rice as a replacement for Gundo... well Gundo appears to be headed to Barca and City have a deal in place to sign Kovacic from Chelsea.

As you've definitely said and it makes total sense, Rice is definitely going to be the 6. We are going to have to get another midfielder if we lose Partey as well just from a depth standpoint.

Yep. Rice is the replacement for Partey in the starting lineup. If/when Partey leaves, I think we sign either Lavia or an inexpensive u20 with a ton of upside.

The interesting part to figure out is whether Arteta views Havertz as a replacement for Xhaka or if he is being brought in as a rotational attacker (AM, W, F9). If the later, we will still need to find a replacement for Xhaka as well.

Yeah, I really don't get why it seems we pay more than others for the players we buy and sell lower than others for the guys we need/want to offload.

Agree, Rice is the 6 and he's been able to stay healthy at WH, but the same could be said for Partey at Atleti. I hope we get Lavia but I think he needs time to develop. If we lose Partey we need to keep Jorginho and get Lavia, in my opinion.

I bet if we took some Saudi investment, this wouldn't be a problem anymore. Just ask Chelsea.

So we are only giving them exactly what they asked for for a player they don't want. Shrewd.

Little bit of a difference between the Partey & Rice moves... EPL to EPL vs La Liga to EPL

Jorginho has already rejected overtures from Lazio. He seems intent to stay and there have been no indications that we intend to move him on.

technically they wanted 75m

I'm excited to see what Arteta does with him. I think he was misused at Chelsea.

Ah, I misremembered it as 65. Still feels way too high.

Strangely Attractive said:

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I'm excited to see what Arteta does with him. I think he was misused at Chelsea.

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Exactly.

Arteta and Edu deserve the benefit of the doubt on roster moves at this point.

agdoc2001 said:

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So we are only giving them exactly what they asked for for a player they don't want. Shrewd.

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Seeing as it isn't my money, I'm ok with this until it hamstrings potential new signings. That doesn't seem to be the case right now and as people have mentioned, our roster management has been much better lately so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Havertz will definitely give us something different up front, which we needed last season at times

agdoc2001 said:

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Ah, I misremembered it as 65. Still feels way too high.

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Agreed. Think we should have been closer to 50m. Appears there was very little market. Bayern & Real showed some interest but immediately backed off when Chelsea asked for 75m. We seemed to have been the ONLY club that was willing to negotiate.

In the end, I don't care what he cost as long as (a) he works out and (b) his cost doesn't keep us from another transfer.

Understand Saudi clubs are prepared to pay €40m in installments to Arsenal for Thomas Partey. He’s a concrete option for Saudi — his exit is possible as revealed on Sunday. 🚨⚪️🔴🇸🇦

No decision yet on player side. He also has approaches from Europe. No new deal talks at #AFC. pic.twitter.com/lLSj3dPtyP

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023

If they are gonna come with an offer of 40m, I think you ask for 50-60m and ultimately take whatever the "final" offer ends up.

Still nervous about shipping off a guy that was instrumental to our success the last two years.

Agreed and it will be interesting to see how Arteta sees him. I'm thinking he could play in Xhaka's role, at the 9 or on the RW. Maybe all 3, I know Arteta values versatility.

If Xhaka and Partey both go and the midfield transfers drag out, I'd expect a pretty rocky start to the campaign just because of the massive changes in the engine room

If we ship off Partey, I feel like we've got to bring in 2 players or keep Tierney and be prepared to allow Zinchenko to play as a pure midfielder if Rice/Jorginho aren't playing (assuming we get Rice!)

Jorginho was great. Don't know if I'm ready to move forward with an EPL challenge and Champions League schedule with him as the only back-up option.

Gundogan to Barca official. Will see what if that impacts the Rice to City "interest". Personally think they aren't in for him at all. They just signed Kovacic from Chelsea and to me that seems like a more like for like Gundo replacement than Rice would be.