West Ham captain Declan Rice has emerged as a priority player to pursue in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Gunners are looking to reinforce Mikel Arteta's midfield options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and Rice is seen as the perfect addition.
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have been stalwarts for Arsenal this season, helping the north London outfit lead the way at the top of the Premier League. Arteta's change in tactics to give Xhaka more freedom in attack with Partey holding has transformed the Gunners into becoming the best team in the division this term.
Rice has publicly admitted in the past that he wants to play Champions League football and challenge for the top honours in club football. The England international has been heavily linked with a return to Stamford Bridge after being let go from the Chelsea academy at a young age, but now it seems Arsenal are in pole position to sign the 24-year-old this summer.
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Rice has already dropped a major transfer exit hint this season after speaking to the media whilst away with England for the World Cup in December. The Hammers captain said: "One hundred per cent, I want to play in the Champions League.
"For the last two or three years, I've been saying that. I've been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies," he added.
According to CBS Sports, Rice has been speaking of Arsenal in glowing terms to his teammates, pronouncing himself stunned with the progress the north London side has made. The English midfielder labelled the Gunners as "a top team" and admitted Arsenal are "coached incredibly well" after West Ham's 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day.
Rice and his representatives have been planning for a move away for the Hammers, who are currently battling against relegation from the Premier League, with his contract set to expire next summer. The 24-year-old has rejected a new deal at the London Stadium on numerous occasions as looks to finally seal a move away from West Ham.
Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar could be able to secure a deal for Rice at a cut-price fee should West Ham drop out of the top flight at the end of the season. The Hammers previously slapped a £150million price tag on their star midfielder but, given his contract situation, Rice could be available for a fee in the region of £80million this summer.
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