Bayern Munich have completed the signing of RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, handing Arsenal a huge boost in their hopes of signing Declan Rice this summer.
Rice is expected to leave West Ham this summer and is the Gunners' priority transfer target, football.london understands. Following the Hammers' Europa Conference League final win over Fiorentina on Wednesday, the north Londoners are set to make their first formal offer for the 24-year-old.
The England international has attracted plenty of interest in the past year after his world-class performances at the London Stadium. His signature is set to be highly contested throughout the transfer window, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich also keen.
Despite interest from elsewhere, Arsenal are confident in their approach for the player. They are, however, keen to avoid being drawn into a bidding war and will leave the decision to the player himself.
Now, Mikel Arteta has been handed a significant boost in his pursuit of the West Ham star with Bayern Munich confirming the signing of Laimer on a free transfer.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Bayern confirm deal, Gundogan agreement, £92m Rice bid
The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal at the Allianz Arena after confirming he would be leaving Leipzig following their DFB-Pokal win over Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday. Laimer's arrival means Thomas Tuchel now has four options in central midfield - Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Ryan Gravenberch - potentially softening their interest in Rice.
The Bundesliga champions are keen admirers of Rice, with Tuchel going as far as calling the 24-year-old to explain how he is the perfect midfielder for their project.
However, it's understood Rice's preference is to remain in England and Laimer has, instead, been signed.
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