Arsenal midfield upgrade gains momentum as Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey head for the exit

Granit Xhaka (right) and Thomas Partey (left) could leave Arsenal in the coming weeks. Photo: Stuart McFarlane/Getty Images

Arsenal's pursuit of Declan Rice is only the first step in a planned midfield overhaul at the Emirates Stadium this summer, with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey set to leave the club in the coming weeks.

Partey could also leave the club this summer, because Arsenal are ready to capitalize on the Ghana international if a suitable replacement can be found.

Xhaka and Parti were Arsenal's two most important players as they made a surprise title challenge in the 2022/23 campaign, but with both players now 30 years old, Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are looking to upgrade the midfield in the long run.

Arsenal's plan is to rebuild the midfield around captains Martin Odegaard and Rice, provided they can reach an agreement with West Ham, and they are also looking at other midfield options in the transfer market this summer.

< p>Moises from Brighton. Caicedo is a long-term target, but at this point in the window, he is considered more likely to move to Chelsea. Arsenal have also shown interest in Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan.

West Ham turned down Arsenal's first offer for Rice and they could still face competition for the England international from Manchester City «. The Telegraph Sport reported last week that the treble winners see Rice as a «strong option».

Meanwhile, Arsenal continue talks with Chelsea over Kai Havertz. Talks are moving fast after Arsenal's offer for the 24-year-old was rejected.

Havertz is a versatile attacking player who will challenge Gabriel Jesus while also offering options in deeper positions. It has been reported in Germany that Bayern Munich were looking into signing Havertz, but they now expect the striker to stay in the Premier League.