Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has revealed that he and his teammates are still unaware of when Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber will join the club.
This leaves fans in the dark about the progress of these potential transfers.
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Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, is keen to bolster the team’s squad and has been working on securing deals for both players.
A record-breaking fee for Rice was agreed upon with West Ham over a week ago, but the Hammers are growing increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of the negotiations.
In addition, Timber is set to join Arsenal in a £40 million move from Ajax, successfully outbidding Manchester United in the process.
However, Arsenal’s transfer officials have chosen to keep the details of these potential signings tightly under wraps.
Jorginho’s revelation came during a Q&A session on The Residency, a social media app that allows fans to interact with football players.
A Gunners supporter inquired about the arrival dates of Rice and Timber, only to be disappointed by the midfielder’s response.
Jorginho’s response was: “Good question. No idea”, along with three laughing emojis. This admission further exacerbates West Ham’s frustration with the lack of progress on Rice’s move.
The delay in finalizing the transfers stems from the fact that the contracts between West Ham and Arsenal have not yet been signed, as the Gunners’ legal team is still in the process of drafting the necessary paperwork.
Rice is believed to have already completed his medical examination, with only the contractual formalities remaining before his move to Arsenal can be confirmed.
Arteta, currently in Germany with the team for a training camp, has refrained from providing any updates on the potential signings.
When asked about the transfers earlier in the summer, he stated, “I can’t talk about players who are not in the club.
“I prefer not to say anything. Talent comes at a price, and at Arsenal we are always interested in youngsters with experience.”
He emphasized the club’s focus on nurturing young talent and building a sustainable, successful team.
Arteta’s strategic approach involves not only investing in players but also considering their potential future value.
He continued: “I repeat, I’m not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai [Havertz] he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League.
“We have already regenerated the squad, with a very young average and to generate performance and value.
“We have some owners aligned with us: build a winning team that is sustained over time, without so much investment.
“But the demand is increasing and you have to go to the market to find what we don’t have to continue improving.
“The investment point is one and the revaluation perhaps matters more: how much is a player you buy worth in ‘x’ years.
“There is investment with yield and revaluation. That is our strategy to sustain ourselves.”
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As the situation stands, Arsenal fans eagerly await updates on the progress of the potential signings of Rice and Timber.
They hope that the contracts will soon be finalized, allowing the players to join Arteta’s squad and contribute to the team’s ambitions for the upcoming season.
