Arsenal have been warned against spending too much money on Declan Rice this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his side in preparation for even tougher competition next season. The Gunners weren't expected to mount a serious title charge this year but will now need to take advantage of their situation to ensure they are in the mix again for 2023/24.
With Newcastle and Manchester United both looking set to secure a top four spot alongside Arsenal and Manchester City there are at least three other clubs - Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool - who will all have their sights set on gatecrashing the party next term. Seven sides into just four spots doesn't go so getting the upper hand now will be key.
The transfer work done in the past two seasons has already proved fruitful for Arsenal who have seen the benefits of trusting a group of young players over a period of time rather than relying on immediate results. They will have the chance to fish in a bigger pond of talent this summer, though.
READ MORE: Arsenal reach new 17-year transfer high before Edu’s biggest summer spree aiming to impress
It is Rice who has emerged as one of the standout targets with midfield depth proving to be an area of weakness in the past month of their title charge. Fabio Vieira, though young, has so far failed to add much to the squad while Granit Xhaka is one of the oldest members of the group despite being just 30.
The West Ham captain is set to garner plenty of interest from across the Premier League and Europe too, though, and will not come cheap, especially with his side now likely to avoid relegation. Having been handed a £100m ($125.3m) price tag in the past by David Moyes, former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann believes that he is too much of a dent in the budget for the Reds or Arsenal to stomach.
"Liverpool probably need to spend nearly £250 million ($313.3m) in the summer. If he costs £100 million, plus wages, that’s probably close to half the budget on one player," he said speaking to BestGamblingSites.
"So it depends how many players they want to bring in because I suspect they need a defender as well, and two or three midfielders. Then you see which other areas they want to strengthen. I like Rice, I said a few weeks ago he’s a player that would help Liverpool tremendously, but £100 million is a lot of money."
Arsenal themselves had been linked with making a move for Alexis Mac Allister. The Brighton star has had a stellar year for club and country and is set to move for a transfer fee of in advance of £60m ($75.2m) with Liverpool the most likely destination. This could open up a chance for Arsenal to take a run at Rice. Hamann believes it will depend on Liverpool's ability to get a good deal.
"It depends how much money they have because Mac Allister won’t be cheap either," he explained. "If you need three, four, five players, to spend half the budget on one player obviously limits your options for the other players you want to bring in.
"I tend to agree with Martin on his point, if he costs £100 million plus, or close to it, it is probably not a player which Arsenal or Liverpool can afford."
Arsenal's big advantage in this is that they don't need wholesale changes. Whereas Liverpool are looking to recruit heavily in midfield and need cover at the back, Arsenal have a defined set of positions that are of interest, and this could lead them to having more funds to send Rice's way.
The Hammers' skipper has been continuing to impress despite a poor season for his club. In Europe he was key to their 2-1 Europa Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar. Progress to the semi-finals has already banked them £8.8m ($11m) and that will rise to at least £11.8m ($14.7m) should they get to the final.
It would be the perfect way for him to go out at the London Stadium but further proves just why his value is so high.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke three transfers away from completing $1bn turnaround
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke can complete double $100m transfer swoop after major outgoing
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke could hold key to seven-figure Rangers transfer
Mikel Arteta sends Stan Kroenke clear $144m Arsenal transfer task with Newcastle warning
Gabriel Martinelli fires sharp demand after Arsenal win at Newcastle United
