Arteta sets four new priorities
Mikel Arteta still has plenty of work to do in the transfer window despite Arsenal announcing the arrival of Jurrien Timber.
Up next will undoubtedly be the confirmation of Declan Rice’s £105million move to Emirates Stadium with Arteta and Edu hoping to complete three more jobs before the window ends, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
“The focus will be on departures simply because they have spent probably £200million once the Rice and Timber deals goes through,” Sheth said, via The Boot Room. With nearly 50 days left of the current trading period, there is still ample time for more incomings to be made after funds are raised through sales and Sheth has outlined exactly where those additions can be made.
“The right-sided attacking position, that is something I think Arsenal, will be trying to look at. They have been focusing on that position in the past couple of transfer windows so maybe just keep an eye on that.”
Sheth also said: “And maybe keep an eye on the central midfield position. I know Rice is on the verge of coming in but Xhaka has left as well and if Thomas Partey was to leave, there is a lot of interest in him, which is just at an interest stage, but if that was to develop Arsenal could look into recruiting potentially in there as well.”
Timber transfer confirmed
Jurrien Timber has been confirmed as Arsenal’s second summer addition in a move worth €40million (£34.2million) with a potential further €5million (£4.3million) in add-ons.
Speaking on his move to north London, the 22-year-old said: “Growing up in Utrecht we all dreamed of being football players. When I watched games with my brothers when I was a kid, of course, I wanted to play for one of the biggest and best teams in the world.”
Speaking on his decision to join, Timber added: “I really had a sense that it to be a team that plays in the right way. A club that has the right values. That develops young talent and has an unbreakable bond with its supporters. Now that I’m here I feel at home already. Something special is happening here and I want to be a part of it.”
On his positional preference, he added: “For me it doesn’t really matter, I think that I’m lucky to say that I can play as a central defender, as a right full-back, sometimes even on the midfield. So I think that’s a good thing and I need to keep that.
Timber also looks to have the approval of Arteta on his positional claim. “He said the same thing so we are on the same page,” the defender revealed on the topic of his chats with Arteta. “I spoke to him a couple of times before I came here obviously and we had some good conversations.”
Moyes hints at Rice transfer annoyance
West Ham United boss David Moyes has hinted at his frustrations regarding the delay involving Declan Rice’s transfer to Arsenal.
The two sides reached full agreement regarding the £105million deal over a week ago but no official announcement has yet been made. When asked about the hold-up, Moyes made it clear that it was impeding the Hammers’ transfer business in regards to incomings.
“Until it’s done we can’t plan anything”, he said when asked about the Rice transfer. “Everybody knows the situation, we’re expecting something to happen.
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