Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly looking to sign four players in the summer transfer window, with West Ham midfielder Declan Rice his top target.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Moises Caicedo of Brighton & Hove Albion applauds fans after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Moises Caicedo of Brighton & Hove Albion applauds fans after the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Friends Provident St. Mary’s Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

The Gunners are expected to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven years, and Mikel Arteta believes the extra income will help in strengthening the squad.

Rice could cost Arsenal up to £80m, but the club believe they are well placed to beat Chelsea in the race to sign the England international, given Chelsea’s unlikely qualification for the Champions League.

Rice is also reportedly interested in joining Arsenal, with sources saying that he admires Mikel Arteta’s work to transform the team.

The 24-year-old is expected to leave West Ham in the summer, and the Gunners are reportedly prepared to increase his salary to around £200,000 per week.

The West Ham captain has made no secret of his desire to play at the highest level.

Arsenal could also renew their interest in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, while Arteta would like to sign a left back and a winger.

How will Arsenal pay for these transfers?

The sales of players such as Kieran Tierney could partially fund these signings.

Arsenal's Scottish defender Kieran Tierney looks on after his shirt was torn during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Arsenal and FC Zurich at The Arsenal Stadium in London, on November 3, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Scottish defender Kieran Tierney looks on after his shirt was torn during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Arsenal and FC Zurich at The Arsenal Stadium in London, on November 3, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Tierney is reportedly open to a summer move to Newcastle United if he continues to play a rotational role for the Gunners.

His representatives have apparently offered him to Newcastle, and rumours suggest he may leave Arsenal in the summer, especially with Arteta looking for another player in that position with Nuno Tavares still not fulfilling his defensive potential despite being Marseille’s second top scorer this season behind former Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez.

While Tierney is a key part of Arsenal’s squad, he has not been a regular starter, making just four Premier League starts this season.

Newcastle are also said to be in the market for a left-back this summer, with Tierney well on their radar, but Arsenal will likely hold out for a significant transfer fee, given his contract runs until 2026.

£30m is the number that has been mentioned the most which would represent a profit for Arsenal of around £5m.

Tierney’s move from Celtic to Arsenal took place in August 2019.

The Scottish left-back joined the Gunners for a fee of £25 million, which made him the most expensive Scottish player of all time at the time of the transfer.

Tierney had come through the youth ranks at Celtic and had established himself as one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership, winning numerous domestic honours with the club, including five league titles.

The move to Arsenal was seen as a major step up for Tierney, as he joined a club with a much higher profile and a greater level of competition. However, he struggled with injury problems during his first season, which limited his playing time.

Despite this, Tierney impressed when he was on the pitch, showing his attacking prowess and defensive skills.

In his second season, Tierney became a regular starter for Arsenal, featuring in both the Premier League and Europa League. He quickly became a fan favourite at the club, with his energetic performances and committed attitude endearing him to the supporters.

He also scored several important goals, including a stunning long-range strike against West Bromwich Albion in May 2021.