Transfer news live: Arsenal set for Rice bidding war, superstar leaves Man Utd, Chelsea reject Havertz offer

The Gunners have confirmed the departure of 10 players from their retained list – including one-time first-team regular Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The 25-year-old spent the last campaign on loan at Southampton, where he was relegated after 20 years. He won the FA Cup in his youth, playing a key role in Arsenal’s route to cup glory in 2020.

As for the other nine players released, Zach Awe, Joel Ideho, George Lewis, Matt Smith and Tom Smith, Kaleel Green, Alexandar Kovacevic, Tino Quamina and Mathaeus Roberts will leave when their contracts expire on June 30.

Like Rice, Arsenal are shock frontrunners in the race for Kai Howards’ signature.

The Germany international has been linked with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich since the end of Chelsea’s miserable campaign, but Howards looks set to stay in the English capital.

However, while Howard himself is keen to join the Gunners, an Arsenal legend is not so sure.

Ray Parlor said Talksport: “You need an out and out goalscorer, if you’re Arsenal, they’ve got a very good back-up game behind the striker, but they need someone to put the ball in the net.

„For me, I don’t think it’s the right signing, but obviously Edu and Mikel Arteta are talking behind the scenes and they think he might play here or there. He might have a plan.