Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta plots Liverpool hijack as Gunners near 'triple deal'

Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta plots Liverpool hijack as Gunners near 'triple deal'

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a bid for a highly-rated player who is being pursued by Liverpool

Arsenal are making moves behind the scenes to strengthen their squad in a number of different ways. The Gunners returned to Premier League action on Saturday, defeating Leeds United 2-1 in a tense first game back since the three-week international break.

There were long stretches of anxiety for manager Mikel Arteta and the Emirates Stadium faithful, especially given their previous result was a 3-0 drubbing away at Brighton. However, the reigning Premier League champions are still in a good position after six matches as they look to retain their title, with only Manchester City ahead of them in the table.

Arsenal are not resting on their laurels either, with the club actively pursuing transfer targets ahead of the January window. Internally, the Gunners hierarchy are also looking to keep hold of several key players in the long term by negotiating new deals.

Here, Mirror Football brings you two of the latest developments involving the north Londoners.

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Arsenal plot Liverpool hijack

Arsenal have reportedly made an opening bid for Liverpool target Gilberto Mora. The Mexican wonderkid turns 18 this week, meaning the Gunners are allowed to sign him in January.

Attacking midfielder Mora, who remains under contract with Club Tijuana until 2029, had been linked with Premier League rivals Liverpool in recent weeks. But Mexican publication El Provenir claims Arsenal have approached his current club over a potential transfer.

Arsenal are long-term admirers of the teenager, who impressed as he became Mexico’s youngest ever player at the World Cup earlier this year. He has already earned 13 caps for his nation and has been eyed by the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, according to reports.

Mora is said to have a release clause of just £21.2million in his current contract, meaning the English champions can secure him for a relatively modest fee.

Gunners near 'triple deal'

Arsenal are close to finalising new contract extensions for three key players, according to a report. Having recently tied down manager Arteta until the summer of 2030, Gunners chiefs are now looking to follow that up with deals for midfield powerhouse Declan Rice, captain Martin Odegaard and defender Jurrien Timber.

It has been widely reported in recent weeks that Rice is on the verge of signing a bumper new deal that will take him close to Arsenal’s top earner, Bukayo Saka. Rice is currently on a reported £240,000-per-week deal, which expires in the summer of 2028.

TEAMtalk reports that skipper Odegaard has also been in discussions with the club for over a year, with both his and Timber’s contracts expected to be signed during the November international break and, at the latest, before the January window opens. It is claimed that the club are incredibly confident that the remaining details can be resolved in the coming weeks.