Arsenal and Manchester City are currently locked in an intense battle to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice.
The Gunners have already seen two offers for Rice rebuffed by the Hammers this month, with a third expected to follow shortly. David Moyes' side are said to be demanding in the region of £100million for their skipper.
Now, City have entered the fray. football.london understands that the Premier League champions are preparing to make a bid for the England international. But one advantage Mikel Arteta's side have in negotiations is the fact they are based in London, where Rice was born and raised.
Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap Extra last year, the talented midfielder said: "'I'm here [Kingston] all the time. I've always wanted to stay close to this place.
"I feel like I don't want to lose my roots." Rice's affinity for the capital could certainly prove to be a major benefit Arteta, who made the 24-year-old his priority target for the summer transfer window.
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The Spaniard is keen to bolster his options in the centre of the park and close the gap on City, who beat his side to last season's title by five points. Arsenal remain Rice's preferred destination, football.london understands but should the Hammers agree a deal with Pep Guardiola and Co that the Gunners can't match, the player is open to making the switch to the treble winners.
