Arsenal Transfer News : First Bid for Havertz is rejected, Rice's preference is Arsenal and Talks over Southampton midfielder progressing well

In Arsenal's Transfer News we have, Chelsea rejected first Bid for Kai Havertz. Despite first Bid getting rejected, Declan Rice's preference has not changed. Arsenal has started to hold talks over Romeo Lavia which is said to be progressing well.

William Saliba's contract renewal is ready for him to be signed. Arsenal has also confirmed that they have released Ainsley Maitland Niles.

Havertz bid rejected

The most recent Arsenal Transfer News is, Chelsea has rejected Arsenal's opening bid for Kai Havertz which is said to be significantly less than what Chelsea wants for the player as per multiple reports by Fabrizio Romano.

But negotiations are not over at all because Havertz likes the project and wants the move to the North London so personal terms is not going to be an issue.

Chelsea's valuation of Havertz is €70m but they're willing to sell him for the right price.

Bayern is not in talks with Chelsea but they're keeping a close eye on this deal because they are interested in the German too.

Rice's preference is still Arsenal

Arsenal's initial Bid for Rice was said to be €80m plus add-ons, which was immediately rejected by West Ham, saying "they weren't happy" as per multiple reports.

But nothing has changed from the player's side amid interest from other PL clubs, he still wants the Arsenal move and negotiations are advancing very smoothly.

Declan Rice has always been Arsenal's priority signing this summer and the negotiations are going on for months. The second bid is going to be made by Arsenal in the coming weeks, it's just a matter of time.

Arsenal has been very clear from the very start that they wanted Declan Rice and was ready to make him club's record signing. With West Ham holding out and refusing to sell under €100m Arsenal has to make him the most expensive English player in transfer history.

Romeo Lavia interest

The other Arsenal transfer news which is very exciting for the fans is that the 19 year old Belgian from Southampton is most likely to leave Southampton after their relegation from the Premier League and they have valued Lavia at €45m. Arsenal is said to be frontrunners to sign the midfielder.

Arsenal is targeting Romeo Lavia because Mikel Arteta wants to sign two midfielders and his priority is Declan Rice. Moises Caicedo is one of the names on the list but is likely to go to Chelsea. So that's why the Lavia interest.

Brighton wants around €100m for Caicedo and Arsenal is not the club to make two hundred million signings in a season. So Arteta switched his focus to Romeo Lavia. After leaving City for €10.5m, Lavia impressed a lot of the Premier league clubs but it is growing belief he will end up at Arsenal as per Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian.

The shortage of physicality in Arsenal's midfield last season somewhat cost them the league. Signing Rice and Lavia would solve that problem to some extent.

Contract Renewals and Exits

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal has reached an agreement with William Saliba over new 4 year contract. The deal would tie him down until 2027 amid strong interest from PL and abroad.

Arsenal has also confirmed that as of today, Ainsley Maitland Niles will be available on the market as a free agent.