Arsenal are set to face significant competition from Manchester United this summer in the race to prise Declan Rice away from West Ham.
After months of speculation, the Hammers captain is expected to leave the London Stadium once the current campaign concludes. And the Gunners have emerged as the favourites to clinch the England midfielder's signature in recent weeks.
However, a deal is unlikely to be straightforward. West Ham are expected to demand more than £100million to part with their talisman - and rival clubs are ready to throw a spanner in the works if the Gunners hesitate once the transfer window opens.
According to The Guardian, Manchester United are ready to rival Arsenal for Rice's signature. The midfielder, who has been monitored by the club for a long time, is believed to have impressed Erik ten Hag when the Hammers played United last weekend.
News of United's determination to pursue Rice will come as a blow to Arsenal, who are expected to revamp their squad after blowing their lead in the title race. And after failing to do so last summer and focusing elsewhere in January, Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing in midfield reinforcements.
West Ham manager David Moyes admitted for the first time this week that Rice was likely to leave his boyhood club at the end of the season.
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Furthermore, news of West Ham's interest in Matteo Guendouzi had sparked hope from some Arsenal fans that their former midfielder could help accelerate the Gunners' move for Rice. Guendouzi, who is currently out of favour at Marseille, would be a ready-made replacement if Rice does move on in the summer.
But although Guendouzi admitted that he feels "powerless" after losing his spot in the Marseille first-team, he refused to offer any encouragement to potential suitors.
In a press conference, as transcribed by L’Equipe, Guendouzi said: “I don’t demand anything at all. I have a contract (until 2025). I have always faced my responsibilities, both on and off the pitch. I have commitments, and I’ll keep to them until the end. Obviously, it isn’t easy to be on the bench, I have always wanted to help the team and you feel powerless. But I can bring a lot to the team when I’m called upon. I will always give everything on the pitch.”
He then added that he had held discussions with sporting director Javier Ribalta. “Yes, I had a discussion with him. It was a normal conversation like many players have with the sporting director or director of football. I have always been sincere, and someone who says things face-to-face. It is always with the objective of moving forward together, before prioritising my personal situation.”
