The race for Declan Rice's signature took a dramatic twist on Thursday morning when Arsenal's first bid for the West Ham captain was rejected before Manchester City entered the fold.
For much of the off-season so far, it has looked like the Gunners were nailed on to seal the transfer for Rice. However, some sections of the Arsenal faithful are now fearing the worst amid speculation their first offer was laughed off by those at the top of the West Ham hierarchy.
There is a chance that they are panicking a tad too soon, as others have spotted a specific exchange between Rice and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta back on Boxing Day of last year that is easing some of the fears surrounding the switch potentially falling through.
After the Gunners had come from behind to beat the Hammers 3-1 at the Emirates, Arteta was en route to conduct a post-match interview - but not before a sweet embrace with Rice.
The pair's hug was just about spotted by the television cameras and is now handing Arsenal fans hope that the England international will ply his trade at the Emirates soon enough.
That moment was not the only eye-catching exchange between Rice and the Gunners that night, with the 24-year-old using his own media obligations at full-time as a chance to heap praise on Arsenal and tip his hat to the way Arteta had set them up.
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Asked if they were title contenders, Rice replied: "100%.
"I think they’re a top team, you can see they're coached incredibly well, the attacking talent, it’s a young squad, they could go the whole way for sure. They’re a good team.
"We tried to stop them first half but it’s really hard. In the end, we come up short and it’s frustrating."
The Hammers skipper is still expected to leave this summer as he goes in search of Champions League football despite Arsenal's first offer being rejected. David Moyes' men are holding out for a huge fee, thought to be north of £100m.
The Gunners' first bid is reported to have been well short of that, £80m plus add-ons to be precise.
There are rumours that suggest any offer City do lodge would be significantly more than what Arsenal could afford, as the Gunners try to steer clear of a bidding war for Rice.
Arsenal have reportedly already prepared their second offer and it is expected to be submitted soon, but it may be in their best interests to act as fast as possible before City launch one of their own.
