Arsenal ‘closing in’ on Rice deal for ‘over £100m’ as Arteta ambitiously targets two more midfielders
Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement with West Ham United over a deal to sign Declan Rice, according to reports.
Mikel Arteta has made the Hammers captain his number-one target ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal are hoping to agree a deal as soon as possible amidst interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The Gunners are believed to be the frontrunners for Rice’s signature with personal terms not thought to be an issue.
The only hurdle the north London giants will have to overcome is the agreement of a transfer fee with West Ham.
Arteta’s side are reportedly willing to spend at least £92m on the England midfielder, which would smash their transfer record. Their most expensive signing of all time is the £72m deal to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019.
Having done the noble thing by waiting until West Ham’s Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina to be played, the Gunners are now in negotiations with their London rivals.
According to The Guardian, an agreement between the two Premier League clubs is now close.
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The report says Arsenal are ‘expected to pay over £100m’ for Rice, as long as ‘certain add-ons are met’.
The Gunners will not hesitate to make the 24-year-old the most expensive player in their history with West Ham resigned to losing him.
It is said a bid is yet to be submitted but talks between Arsenal and the Irons are ‘progressing smoothly’ with ‘confidence’ a deal will be sealed ‘soon’.
Arsenal are boosted by the fact hopes of a rival club landing Rice now ‘receding’ after Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United registered an interest.
Arteta is a ‘huge admirer’ of Rice and has ensured his club’s hierarchy has been the ‘most aggressive’ team in their attempts to buy him with the addition expected to help the Gunners mount another Premier League title challenge next season.
While the Spanish manager is very fond of the England star, it is said the player himself is a ‘fan of Arteta’s football’.
Rice may not end up being Arsenal’s best summer signing with the report adding that Arteta wants to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo and Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan as well.
It is claimed Arsenal are ‘considering a bid’ for the former after the Seagulls rejected two offers from them in the winter transfer window.
Chelsea are also very keen on signing Caicedo, though they cannot offer the 21-year-old European football next term.
Gundogan is available on a free transfer and Arteta is ‘trying to sign’ him, the report adds.
The German midfielder has interest from Barcelona and Saudi Arabia, while City are eager to extend his deal.
Should Arsenal land all three players, they would have one of the best midfields in world football, with Arteta eyeing success in the Premier League and Champions League.
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