Arteta ‘desires’ €50m Liverpool target as ‘new’ option and Arsenal ‘worry’ over Rice deal emerges | OneFootball

According to reports, Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze has emerged as a ‘new target’ for Arsenal but Liverpool and Newcastle United are also interested.

The Gunners are expected to strengthen in various positions this summer after they fell short to Man City in the race for the Premier League title in 2022/23.

Arsenal will have the Champions League to contend with next season so Mikel Arteta will want to have more quality options at his disposal.

Chukwueze has consistently impressed for Villarreal in La Liga over the past couple of seasons. In 22/23, he grabbed 13 goals and 11 assists in his 50 appearances across all competitions.

Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that the 24-year-old is one of Arteta’s ‘new targets’ ahead of next season.

Arteta is looking to ‘bet on’ Chukwueze as the Gunners head coach ‘desires’ the attacker. Arsenal face a fight for the winger as Liverpool and Newcastle are among the ‘main interested parties’ looking at signing him from Villarreal.

Chukwueze is out of contract in 2024 and the report claims that he is valued at around €50m this summer.

While Arsenal appear keen to sign a new winger, it is their priority to sign a new centre-midfielder and West Ham’s Declan Rice is their main target.

Earlier this week, the Gunners submitted their ‘opening offer’ for Rice and this was swiftly rejected by West Ham. The Hammers are understood to be holding out for £100m this summer.

Man City and Man Utd are also understood to be keen on Rice, who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

Arsenal would have hoped to get a deal for Rice sealed before they are dragged into a bidding war, while a multi-club fight for the midfielder would play into West Ham’s hands.

ESPN reporter Mark Ogben thinks Arsenal “may have a bit of a saga on their hands” for Rice.

“We saw it with Mudryk, and this is the danger. Arsenal are a bit like Man United where clubs know they need to strengthen, West Ham were never going to let them get their players easily,” Ogden said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I worry that Arsenal may have a bit of a saga on their hands here because they don’t want to pay over the odds. They want to get Rice on a fee that is representing his value.

“This could go on for a few weeks and as it does go on West Ham will be waiting for a Man City, Man United or Chelsea to come in.”