Arsenal make ‘superb’ £77.3m midfielder ‘top priority’ to partner Rice to leave Liverpool free to sign £45m alternative

Arsenal are ready to abandon their interest in signing Romeo Lavia and will instead now prioritise the huge capture of Aurelien Tchouameni after learning what it will take to prise the star away from Real Madrid.

The Gunners have set about their business this summer quickly and impressively. Last week they finalised the signing of Kai Havertz in a £65m deal from Chelsea in their first confirmed deal. But two more deals are also taking shape with agreements close for both Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.

In the case of Rice, Arsenal will pay West Ham a club-record £105m for the England international. After seeing off Manchester City’s interests in the player, they have since had an offer accepted by the Hammers. Now talks are close to concluding at the payment structure of the transfer.

And with the player already agreeing personal terms, only a medical stands in Arsenal’s way.

He should be closely followed in by Timber. The Ajax defender is also on the cusp of finalising his move; the Gunners paying the Dutch giants a fee in the region of €45m for the 22-year-old star.

The signing of Rice will be hugely welcomed by all at Arsenal given he was Mikel Arteta’s No 1 objective this summer.

But with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey free to leave should suitable offers come in, Arteta now wants to add another new midfielder to his mix.

The Gunners have been considering a move for Lavia, who impressed for Southampton last season. And while he could not prevent their demotion to the second tier, he did impress and was named as the club’s player of the year.

READ MORE: Liverpool icon slams Arteta for Arsenal signing; insists we ‘may never see him again’ if things go wrong

Arsenal drop Lavia interest and plan instead for Tchouameni

However, the 19-year-old appears unlikely to hang around to play in the second tier.

And Southampton are unlikely to land in his way if a suitable offer comes in. To that end, they are reportedly looking for as much as £50m for the former Manchester City man.

That has alerted both Arsenal and Liverpool to his possible signature.

Now though, it seems Arteta is ready to shoot even higher in his quest to land a quality partner for Rice.

And reports in Spain insist he is ready to launch a massive bid to sign Real Madrid star Tchouameni.

The France star only moved to the Bernabeu last summer in a €80m move from Monaco. And while he has caught the eye, he is reportedly being considered for sale following their capture of Jude Bellingham.

Now it is claimed that Tchouameni has become Arteta’s top priority following reports Real have named their price. And while Arsenal were hoping to strike a deal for around €80m (£68.7m), Real are reportedly willing to sell if their price of €90m (£77.3m) is met.

And his signing would be a real statement of intent by Arsenal. Branded ‘superb’ by Rio Ferdinand, the 23-year-old is regarded as one of the world’s top stars in his position.

Both Xhaka and Partey enjoyed excellent seasons as Arsenal finished second. But a partnership of Rice and Tchouameni would represent a serious upgrade as they prepare for their UCL return.

Costing a combined £182.3m, Arsenal can claw a portion of that back by offloading Xhaka and Partey. The former is destined to return to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen among those ready to match his £15m asking price. The Gunners will seek a little more for Partey, amid claims he is a target for cash-rich Saudi Arabian sides.

Liverpool in the clear to sign Romeo Lavia

Arsenal’s decision to pursue Tchouameni will leave Liverpool as favourites to land Lavia.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has already brought in two new midfielders in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, he next wants to add a No 6 – which is why Lavia is being strongly considered.

Saints had been hoping to raise as much as £50m for his sale. However, Arsenal’s apparent withdrawal from the race will raise Liverpool hopes of securing his signing for a lesser fee. To that end, reports have suggested Saints could cash in to the tune of £40m to £45m.

One thing we can say for sure is that Liverpool’s transfer business this summer is far from done.

And Jamie Carragher has explained why he thinks the Reds will look to make two more signings before the window closes.

The Merseysiders will hope a new-look midfield can catapult them back into title contention.

However, Arsenal’s business, especially in midfield, means they will look well placed to best push Manchester City again for the Premier League crown.

READ MORE ~ Liverpool transfers: Jamie Carragher names next two Jurgen Klopp signings after Dominik Szoboszlai deal