‘Now that’s exciting’ – Arsenal urged to sign Chelsea target after Declan Rice

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been urged to sign one of Chelsea’s top targets after breaking the club’s transfer record on England midfielder Declan Rice.

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The Gunners completed a £105m deal for Rice last week, making the former West Ham captain their record signing and one of the most expensive acquisitions in Premier League history.

Before Rice’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal spent £65m on Germany forward Kai Havertz and £40m on Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber.

Arsenal have backed Arteta in the transfer market after he oversaw a genuine Premier League title challenge last season and secured the club’s return to the Champions League.

Speaking from Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Germany earlier this week, Arteta suggested the Gunners were not yet finished in the transfer window.

Ex-Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell certainly hopes that is the case, urging his former club to beat London rivals Chelsea to a summer deal for Moises Caicedo.

The Gunners failed with multiple bids for the Brighton midfielder in January and Chelsea are now leading the race to secure his signature, though the Seagulls are holding out for at least £80m.

‘People are saying that if Thomas Partey goes, we should get Moises Caicedo,’ Campbell said on the Highbury Squad.

‘Remember we had a discussion at the end of last season. Could we get both of them [Rice and Caicedo]? You get them both, now that’s exciting.’

Asked about the rumours that Chelsea are close to signing Caicedo, Campbell added: ‘Well, he’s not a Chelsea player yet, now is he? That’s the funny thing. He’s not a Chelsea player yet.

‘Normally you would think that Chelsea would have done the business, but they haven’t, so this leaves the door open.’

Arsenal sat top of the Premier League for 248 days last season before finishing second, five points behind treble-winners Manchester City.

The Gunners kick-start the 2023-24 campaign on August 12 against Nottingham Forest.

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