Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be keeping a close eye on the Europa Conference League final tonight as it provides one last chance to scout transfer target Declan Rice.
The Hammers have travelled to Prague to take on Italian side Fiorentina and fans will be hoping the club can pick up their first major trophy since 1980. If West Ham are victorious in the Czech capital, Arsenal target Rice will no doubt have played a major role.
The 24-year-old has impressed in claret and blue this season, making 49 appearances in all competitions and contributing to nine goals. The Europa Conference League final will be his 50th appearance for West Ham this campaign and it could be his last for the east Londoners if Arsenal get their way.
football.london understands Rice is Arsenal's priority target this summer, with Mikel Arteta and Edu big admirers of the central midfielder. It's thought Rice could be one of two midfield incomings during the transfer window, with Granit Xhaka expected to move to Bayer Leverkusen for £13million.
Sporting director Edu knows Arsenal must invest this summer to build on an impressive 2022/23 campaign. "We need to identify how we can improve," he told ESPN Brasil.
"If we have to improve specific, individual positions, individuals, final turn, midfielders, our defence. We already know what it is because our style of play with Mikel Arteta is very clear. When you see Arsenal play now, you know it’s our style.
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"Now we have to understand how to enhance our athletes so the team can improve and reach a new level in terms of performance. I think there is a level above. Mikel and I talked, and we believe we can raise our performance to a new level. Now we have to do good work in the transfer window, we have to understand what we need, get the right athletes, the right traits, and the right athlete mentality so we can raise our squad’s level again."
It's believed the Gunners are waiting until after West Ham play in the Europa League Conference final to submit a bid for Rice, out of respect, but are confident of getting a deal done amid competition from Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Moises Caicedo and Mason Mount also remain on the Gunners' radar.
Rice, who will captain West Ham against Fiorentina tonight, is busy preparing for one of the biggest matches of his career so far. He was pictured on Tuesday looking around the Fortuna Arena, along with his Hammers teammates.
The midfielder shared two snaps on Instagram of himself looking focused inside the stadium along with the words: "Go time @westham." While it's clear Rice's only interest at present is helping West Ham win the Europa Conference League, his attention may soon turn to his future and a potential move to Arsenal.
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