Arsenal's focus for the summer transfer window is signing West Ham United captain, football.london understands.
The Gunners are prioritising a deal for Rice at the end of the current campaign as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield options ahead of next season. Arteta's side currently sit on top of the Premier League table, with 29-year-old Thomas Partey and 30-year-old Granit Xhaka the two oldest players in the Spaniard's favoured starting XI.
Backups Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny are 31 and 30 respectively, meaning that the four oldest players in Arsenal's current squad are all central midfielders. Considering Rice is still just 24, the deal certainly makes sense given the club's recent transfer record when it comes to bringing in younger players.
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On Wednesday, a clip surfaced of Rice alongside Arsenal hero Ian Wright and current Gunners' star Bukayo Saka at England's training base St George's Park. The three are all joking and laughing together, with Rice putting his arm around Wright.
One Twitter account by the name of @Lhastim3 replied to the video by saying: "It's so obvious wright was talking about rice when he said he knows someone that wants to join if we get ucl football." He is likely referring to comments made by Wright last year claiming that he knew of a prominent player keen to join Arteta and co providing they qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.
Speaking back in October 2022, he said: "Whatever happens off the back of this season if Arsenal do get in the top four with the players that I know that are probably waiting..."
When prompted to reveal who he was talking about, Wright then smirked and continued: "No, no, no. I can't say anything. Waiting for Arsenal to get in the Champions League, this season will be a massive learning curve for this team. That's the least we can get out of it."
Arsenal currently sit 22 points clear of fifth place, meaning a place in next season's Champions League is all but secured. They will be hoping that this can be enough to beat off stiff competition and prise Rice away from the Hammers this summer.
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