Arsenal are set for a battle with German giants Bayern Munich in their pursuit of Declan Rice.
The Gunners are understood to have opened talks with West Ham over signing captain Rice, but Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has now identified him to become the catalyst behind his new-look midfield in Munich. The England international, 24, is set to leave West Ham this summer and Arsenal have been the favourites to sign him for weeks.
If Mikel Arteta wants to get his man, though, then not only will it cost the Gunners a club-record fee. It also appears that he'll have to convince Rice to reject Tuchel's advances, with the German coach already planning for his arrival.
According to German newspaper Bild, Bayern have registered their interest in the midfield powerhouse, whose future at West Ham is growing more uncertain by the day. Tuchel, who was appointed at the end of March, wants to recruit Rice and deploy him at the base of midfield to allow Joshua Kimmich to operate in a more advanced position, where he's impressed this season.
Tuchel didn't hide his admiration for Rice while in charge of Arsenal's London rivals, Chelsea, and seems ready to turn on the charm offensive in an effort to bring him to Bavaria. The 24-year-old is likely to cost over £100million, with West Ham expected to trigger an extension clause in Rice's contract which would see him tied down until the summer of 2025.
Arsenal's pursuit of the Hammers star is well-documented, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all cooling interest this season. Arteta views Rice as the long-term linchpin of the Gunners' midfield department, but West Ham boss David Moyes has already told any suitors that they'll have to cough up some serious dough in order to sign him.
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In February, Moyes claimed that the fee triggering Rice's departure would eclipse the £107m that Chelsea paid Benfica to sign Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez. "Undoubtedly Declan is going to be a top player," the West Ham manager declared. "He'll be a British transfer record if he ever leaves West Ham."
Moyes then reaffirmed: "There's a lot of talk about it and when you see what's going about for the prices, I think Dec will be blowing that out of the water, that's for sure, when it comes around."
Ahead of Sunday's 2-0 defeat away to Brentford, he admitted that there's a "good chance" of Rice moving on this summer. "We honestly hope he stays," Moyes added. "There are plans that we have Dec here but we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him."
