Mikel Arteta is planning to hold talks with West Ham captain Declan Rice at the end of the season as Arsenal step up their interest in signing the 24-year-old midfielder. football.london reported in January that the Gunners are prioritising a move for Rice this summer as Arteta looks to bolster his midfield.
Rice’s contract runs until next summer with the option of another a year and he has already rejected fresh offers regarding a new deal. at the London Stadium. The England international is said to be keen on staying in London and is interested in a switch to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with moves for the Hammers' star but it looks as though the Gunners are leading to race to land his signature. Midfield is an area that needs strengthening for Arsenal, with Thomas Partey's form dropping off towards the end of the current season as the north London outfit have stumbled in their Premier League title fight with Manchester City.
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Arteta wants to hold talks with Rice as soon as the season ends, according to The Mirror. The Arsenal boss is increasingly confident he can land the West Ham midfielder despite the Gunners’ faltering title bid.
The report adds that Arsenal’s head coach, who used to play in midfield himself, believes he can help convince the £100million-rated star to move to the Emirates Stadium ahead of Premier League rival interest. Arteta will urge the Gunners to make an official approach once the season has ended to try to tee up a huge transfer when the window opens in June.
West Ham have reiterated their stance regarding Rice and are likely to demand a fee similar to that which Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez in the January transfer window.
The Gunners will be boosted in their attempts to lure the 24-year-old to north London after securing Champions League football for next season, despite it now looking unlikely that they will go on to lift the Premier League trophy this term.
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