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Arsenal working on three more signings after Declan Rice with deal 'almost agreed'
Arsenal will continue to be busy this summer if and when they complete the signing of Declan Rice.
Arsenal want to make at least three more signings once they get a deal done for Declan Rice. The Gunners are reportedly close to agreeing a fee with West Ham for their top target but won't be finished there in the transfer market.
Rice has been linked with a move to Arsenal for several months. Mikel Arteta has been quietly confident of securing a deal and West Ham won't stand in his way.
Rice led the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory in Prague last week. But that now appears to be his final game for the club he joined at the age of 14.
The Guardian says a fee is close to being finalised between Arsenal and West Ham. The Gunners will pay over £100million for the midfielder if certain add-ons are achieved.
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Rice will smash Arsenal's previous transfer record, which currently stands at £72m. But Arteta is still keen to add to his squad with at least three further signings.
It is an open secret that Arsenal want to strengthen at full-back. Joao Cancelo, Ivan Fresneda and Sacha Boey have all been linked with the Emirates club, with Timothy Castagne the latest to be a rumoured target.
Leicester are prepared to sell the Belgium star following their relegation. He can provide cover at both right-back and left-back, with Kieran Tierney's long-term future uncertain.
Arsenal also want to recruit at centre-back. They were found wanting at the back in the final weeks of the season following the injury suffered by William Saliba.
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Rob Holding faced strong criticism for his performances when stepping in for the Frenchman. Signing cover for Saliba is important ahead of the return to the Champions League next season and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is one of those to have been linked.
Arteta also wants to add another signing in midfield. Rice will take up a large chunk of the budget but there is still hope of signing Brighton's Moises Caicedo.
The Seagulls would demand around £80m for the Ecuador international and Chelsea may have the financial power to oust Arsenal. Arteta could therefore look to sign Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who is out of contract at the end of the month.
The news that Reiss Nelson is set to sign a new long-term contract will lessen the need for attacking reinforcement. But Arteta won't rest on his laurels following a deal for Rice with at least three other signings lined up.