Arsenal have reached an agreement with one midfielder, as deal progresses for a second: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledges fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on May 28, 2023 in London, England.
(Image credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Arsenal have verbally agreed a move for a midfielder, with another in the pipeline.

The Gunners are moving fast this summer in the market and look to have completed the signature of Kai Havertz from Chelsea already. The German has agreed his move as per Fabrizio Romano and will cost around £60 million.

But with Arsenal still looking for midfield reinforcements to cover for the expected departures of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, there are more deals to be made.

Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on May 28, 2023 in London, England.

Granit Xhaka looks to be leaving Arsenal this summer (Image credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

According to Football Insider, Arsenal have reached a verbal agreement for Romeo Lavia to join the Gunners this summer.

The Belgian teen only moved to Southampton from Manchester City last summer but took to the Premier League instantly. He became one of the Saints' players of the season despite their relegation and has courted interest from a number of clubs.

Given that City have a buy-back on Lavia that comes into effect next summer, Arteta has expressed interest in the player now to get ahead of the competition. 

"Chelsea had put a lot of groundwork into Lavia having held conversations during last season and were frontrunners for a long period but have paused their interest as they conclude other deals," according to the report. 

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool is challenged by Romeo Lavia of Southampton during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on November 12, 2022 in Liverpool, England.

Romeo Lavia looks Arsenal-bound (Image credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

The Gunners are still trying to tie up a deal for Declan Rice, with the England international a target for City, too. 

Lavia is valued at €25 million by Transfermarkt

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal transfer news is ramping up this summer, as the Gunners chase four major stars to begin the window.

Declan Rice is almost complete, according to reports. Ajax star Jurrien Tmber is on the shortlist, along with Romeo Lavia of Southampton. Former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere has explained exclusively to FFT why Kai Havertz is necessary as a signing, too.

Thomas Partey is linked to Saudi Arabia, though Kieran Tierney may stay after all, following talks with Mikel Arteta. 

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.