Arsenal look certain to go all in to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice in the summer transfer window.
football.london understands that Rice is the priority for sporting director Edu Gaspar, with the area of Mikel Arteta's squad requiring serious attention ahead of the Gunners' return to the Champions League.
However, Sky Sports have reported that the Hammers will demand as much as £120million for the midfielder, with their Premier League status all but confirmed. Relegation to the Championship would have forced David Moyes' side to soften their stance, yet potential suitors will now have to cough up a new British record for the defensive anchor.
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Arsenal have become renowned for playing the market smartly, by regularly refusing to pay over the odds for players and sealing numerous deals on the cheap. This summer is likely to be different after such a good season on the field, but there are options for Arteta.
West Ham will also consider lowering the asking price to £100million should a player be offered in return, something that could work in the Gunners' favour. A number of bit-part players are facing uncertain futures in north London and could be used to bring Rice to the Emirates Stadium.
Probably the most pressing name within Arsenal's ranks with a question mark over their name is Folarin Balogun. The striker has enjoyed a tremendous season in Ligue 1 with Stade de Reims with 19 goals in 35 appearances.
Balogun is expected to demand first team minutes next season after his stellar campaign in France, but with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah already filling the attacking positions, they won't come at Arsenal. West Ham are one of the many clubs linked with the New York-born striker and could provide welcome competition to Michail Antonio.
Another player seeking regular minutes is left-back Kieran Tierney. The Scotsman has lost his place to Oleksandr Zinchenko this season and has been tipped for an exit this summer. A move to the London Stadium could be the perfect move for the defender, with Aaron Cresswell and Emerson failing to cement a regular spot.
Much has been made of Arsenal's list of loanees set to return to London Colney at the end of the season. Many are expected to be sold on to raise funds for incomings elsewhere, but the inclusion in Rice's deal could work for all parties.
Charlie Patino, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares are options. Patino is expected to leave the club at the end of the season after his loan with Blackpool and he could make a name for himself in the Premier League with West Ham.
Both Lokonga and Tavares have endured rather successful loan spells at Crystal Palace and Marseille, but haven't pulled up any trees. Rice's arrival would plummet Lokonga further down the pecking order in N7 whilst Tavares' chances of returning to Arsenal seem slim after his difficult first season.
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