Arsenal are set to submit another bid to West Ham United for Declan Rice - but it will be below the £100 million-plus David Moyes' side are holding out for.
With Rice's season now over following this month's round of international fixtures, the 24-year-old will now be the subject of intense interest from the Gunners. He is Arsenal's top priority this summer with Mikel Arteta keen to strengthen his squad after finishing second in the Premier League.
Jurrien Timber, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia are also on Arsenal's shopping list as Arteta looks to bring in quality options across the pitch ready for the return of Champions League football to the Emirates Stadium next season. Sky Sports report that West Ham would accept an offer of £100m and a player from the Gunners, with £120m their asking price for Rice.
The Gunners could look to include a player in a deal for Rice, with Moyes reportedly a fan of Reiss Nelson, Folarin Balogun and Albert Sambi-Lokonga. Full-back Nuno Tavares is a target for the Hammers, according to reports, with the Portuguese another potential option for Mikel Arteta and Edu to try and sweeten a move for Rice.
The Hammers have given the green light to Rice's exit with owner David Sullivan confirming that the player will move on from the Europa Conference League winners earlier this month. "We promised him he could go, he set his heart on going," Sullivan said.
"You can't ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. "In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement - or several replacements."
It remains to be seen now what Arsenal's next move is and whether they decide to go down the cash-plus-player move or can negotiate a deal with the Hammers below their £120m asking price.
