Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal £100m Rice bid, Chelsea set to win Caicedo race

We are just two days into the summer transfer market and if those two days were a sign of what’s to come, this could prove to be one of the biggest windows in history. Premier League clubs are certainly not short of cash while the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are already flexing their financial muscle.

Declan Rice has been the story of the transfer window so far and unlike his England team-mate Jude Bellingham, there does not seem to be any swift resolution when it comes to his future.

That’s because Arsenal are not the only interested party as West Ham prepare for a potential auction with Manchester City and potentially Manchester United and Chelsea also expected to bid.

We could see further movement on Rice’s future on Friday despite the fact he is currently away with England in Malta.

There is also another saga that is beginning to warm up and that is the future of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

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The Ecuador international midfielder was the subject of bids from both Chelsea and Arsenal in January but each proposal was rejected by the Seagulls.

Now there is a gentleman’s agreement in place between Roberto De Zerbi and Caicedo that will allow the player to leave provided Albion’s valuation is met.

Manchester United’s hunt for a new striker, Arsenal’s pursuit of Kai Havertz, Tottenham’s interest in James Maddison and Harvey Barnes and Liverpool’s search for midfield reinforcements are also bubbling away behind the scenes.

Express Sport brings you the latest transfer news on Friday, June 16.

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Arsenal £100m bid for Rice

While it’s currently unclear if some have jumped the gun, it appears Arsenal’s improved £100m bid for Declan Rice is imminent – should it not have already been submitted.

Several reporters and journalists have also disclosed that the bid is locked in and worth up to £100m including add-ons (£90m plus £10m in bonuses).

Some have even gone as far as saying West Ham have already rejected the proposal as they wait for more bids from rival suitors.

Express Sport has been unable to ratify whether Arsenal’s second bid has gone in but if it hasn’t, the messages being relayed are that it’s likely to happen very, very soon.

West Ham are looking to over £100m for Rice but the prospect of other sides entering the fray could help their cause in their quest to land the biggest fee possible.

Caicedo picks Chelsea with talks underway

Chelsea are in talks to complete the signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a fee between £80m and £85m according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues have now emerged as frontrunners for the player with Arsenal currently prioritising the signing of Declan Rice.

Sky Germany even report that Caicedo has picked Chelsea as his next club despite the lack of Champions League football.

It seems as though the Blues are now pushing to finalise the deal and that Caicedo will be their new signing in midfield following the departure of N’Golo Kante and impending exits of Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount.

Inter target Balogun

Inter Milan are in the hunt for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, according to Sky Sports.

The USMNT frontman struck 21 times in Ligue 1 during a loan spell with Stade Reims last season and now he wants to pursue regular football.

Inter are monitoring his situation, as are a number of other clubs from across Europe.

Arsenal are prepared to let him leave this summer providing the price is right.

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