Declan Rice, Ilkay Gundogan and the 10 players Arsenal are most likely to sign in the 2023 summer transfer window

It’s no secret that Arsenal want to sign West Ham’s captain and that they have already put a lot of work in behind the scenes to try and get a deal done. But that does not mean they are guaranteed to land Rice, even though it is understood he is open to making the move across London.

There is strong rival interest in the England international that Arsenal will need to see off if they are going to sign him, and they are also going to need to absolutely smash their club-record transfer fee, that currently stands at the £72m ($89m) they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe in 2019.

West Ham want in excess of £100m (£123.5m) for their skipper and will be hoping for a bidding war to drive the price up further. Whether Arsenal have the financial capability to win the race for Rice remains to be seen, but they are certainly going to try.

Arsenal pushed hard for Caicedo in January but were left disappointed when Brighton rejected two bids for their midfielder. The Gunners remain interested in the 21-year-old, but it is currently unclear whether they will bid for him as well as Rice this summer. It could be a case of one, rather than both as they look to reshape their midfield.

Caicedo has signed a new contract at Brighton since Arsenal’s failed attempts to sign him in January, but that does not mean he will not be moving on in the coming weeks.

Arsenal do have an interest in Gundogan and talks have taken place with his representatives over a possible free transfer this summer. Manchester City are still trying to get him to sign a new contract, but if he doesn’t, he will be available on a free transfer. 

A move to Barcelona remains the most likely option, but Arsenal are trying to convince him to stay in the Premier League following his glittering career at the Etihad. He would be a perfect, low-cost replacement for Granit Xhaka.

Arsenal, like the rest of the top clubs in the Premier League, are keeping close tabs on Mount’s situation at Chelsea. It looks increasingly certain he will leave this summer rather than sign a new contract, and talks have been held over a potential move to the Emirates.

But several other clubs are also in the mix, including Manchester United and Liverpool, so it will be a difficult race to win. Chelsea are believed to want around £70m for Mount, a figure that could price Arsenal out of a move.

Arsenal are looking to bring in a right-back this summer to bolster their options in defence. They are looking at various options and one of those is Boey, who has been impressive at Galatasaray.

The Turkish club are open to allowing Boey to leave and they have held talks with various clubs, including Arsenal, over a possible deal this summer. Galatasaray are believed to want more than £20m for the 22-year-old and it remains to be seen whether that is a figure the Gunners will find acceptable to stretch to.

Another right-back option is Fresneda, who Arsenal were very interested in signing in January. Edu held extensive talks with Fresneda’s representatives over a move, but ultimately it was decided the teenage full-back was better off staying with Real Valladolid in Spain.

Arsenal might look to revisit a move for Fresneda this summer to bolster their defensive options ahead of their return to the Champions League. 

Another position Arsenal want to strengthen this summer is on the right-hand side of the attack as they look to bring in cover and competition for Bukayo Saka.

Diaby is a player they have long admired, but as of yet they have never actively tried to get him out of Leverkusen. It remains to be seen whether that changes this summer. If it does, then it would take big money to prize the Frenchman away from the Bundesliga side.

Arsenal were very keen on Raphinha last summer when he was on his way out of Leeds. It soon became clear, however, that the Brazilian attacker had his heart set on a move to Barcelona.

Raphinha has had an up-and-down first season with the La Liga giants and the likelihood is he will remain at the Camp Nou for another campaign. But it would be no surprise to see Arsenal revisit their interest should Barcelona decide to try and sell the winger to bring in funds to ease their financial issues and help in their efforts to bring Lionel Messi back to the club. 

A new centre-back is also on Arsenal’s list this summer, with Rob Holding potentially on his way out.  Arsenal are believed to be admirers of Guehi, who has had a fine time of things since moving to Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021, producing consistently impressive performances that have seen him force his way into the England picture.

Guehi still has three years left on his contract with Palace, however, so he would not come cheap.

Would Manchester City really sell another player to Arsenal? It seems unlikely, given the impact Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have made in north London, but if the price is right then it could just happen.

Arteta is believed to be a big fan of Portugal international Cancelo, who Pep Guardiola sent out on loan to Bayern Munich halfway through the season. And if City are open to doing business this summer, Arsenal could look to take advantage.