Arsenal handed £50m transfer dilemma as perfect Rice midfield partner identified

Arsenal have already spent £200million in the summer transfer window following the arrivals of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal have been handed a fresh £50million transfer dilemma this summer. The Gunners have already signed Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice in a £200million triple swoop to strengthen Mikel Arteta's squad.

Albert Sambi Lokonga is another midfielder that could be sold by Arsenal this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace. If both players leave the Gunners, at least one replacement will be required to maintain quality squad depth in Arteta's team.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested in Lavia - but so far no club has made a formal approach to the Saints for the Belgian midfielder. Manchester City can activate their option-to-buy clause in Lavia's Southampton contract next year, which would see the 19-year-old return to the Etihad Stadium for just £40million, if he does not leave the Saints this summer.

However, Arsenal may be tempted to switch their focus from Lavia to Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich following recent reports. Spanish outlet Marca reported in May that the north London club admired Kimmich, who has established himself as one of the Bundesliga's most consistent performers over the last few years.

Thomas Tuchel is said to be keen on signing a new holding midfielder this summer with Leon Goretzka also facing an uncertain future at the Allianz Arena. Kimmich has been linked with Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal and City in the past few months.