Arsenal icon Lee Dixon believes the Gunners are using their interest in West Ham captain Declan Rice as a 'smokescreen' whilst they pursue other players. football.london understands Arsenal are prioritising a move for Rice this summer as they look to add quality competition for Thomas Partey in Mikel Arteta's squad.
Rice's contract with the Hammers is set to expire at the end of next season which could see West Ham look to cash in on their star midfielder. The Gunners' interest in Rice was revealed during the January transfer window after they had two bids rejected for Brighton ace Moises Caicedo.
The Ecuadorian midfielder released a statement as he pushed to leave the Seagulls on deadline day but has since deleted this and signed a new long-term deal with the club. Despite committing his future to Brighton - Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all thought to retain an interest in the 21-year-old and could push for his signature once again this summer.
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Dixon believes the north Londoners' interest in Rice is not genuine and instead they are secretly targeting moves for other players like Caicedo. The ex-Arsenal star told BettingSites.co.uk: "I don't think Arsenal will pay £100million.
"I don't think Rice is worth £100million to be honest. I think West Ham are going to want even more than that. I don't know who Arsenal are looking at.
"But based on the way they've recruited so far I would suggest that they've got alternatives. It might be that Rice is a bit of a smoke screen, and they're not really that interested.
"I think he’s a really good player but I’m not convinced he will be at Arsenal next season."
Quizzed on who Arsenal should sign in the summer, Dixon stated: “I like Caicedo. I think the Brighton model in terms of what they're doing with their replacement of the players that they sell is brilliant.
"I’m a big admirer of what Brighton are all about and Caicedo certainly fits in at Arsenal. I think he’s a really good player.”
Both Rice and Caicedo have expressed desires to join clubs challenging for titles and competing in the Champions League. The West Ham star as refused to sign a new deal at the London Stadium and with just a year left on his current deal this summer, the Hammers may be forced into selling him on for cheaper than they would like to demand.
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