Arsenal have a clear run at top transfer target Declan Rice after Bayern Munich pulled out of the race.
Rice is set to leave West Ham after nine years at the club, and one as captain. The Gunners made the midfielder their priority summer signing and were facing competition from the German giants, with Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel reportedly speaking to the midfielder in recent weeks.
But, following a meeting of the club's board members on Tuesday, Bayern have withdrawn their interest.
Manchester United and Chelsea have previously shown an interest but Rice looks set to move to the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal closing in on a deal.
West Ham have previously set an asking price of £120m for Rice, though the Gunners are hopeful a deal worth around £100m will be agreed.
Any deal will smash Arsenal's previous club-record outlay of £72million on flop winger Nicolas Pepe.
Rice has been expected to leave this summer and last week West Ham chairman David Sullivan confirmed the midfielder was promised a big move.
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He told talkSPORT: "We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can't ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement - or several replacements.
"It's not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It's cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can't keep a player who doesn't want to be there."
