Arsenalare set to ‘move very fast’ as they look to lureWest Ham UnitedstarDeclan Riceto the Emirates Stadium, CBS ɾєρօɾτerBen Jacobshas told GIVEMESPORT.
Having led the Gunners back into the Champions League, boss Mikel Arteta will be handed the opportunity to splash the cash during the summer transfer window.
According toThe Guardian,Arsenalare confident of winning the race for Rice’s signature after he has been earmarked as a top target by Arteta.
The ɾєρօɾτ suggests the north Londoners are looking to pay £90million for the central midfielder and will move quickly in a bid to beat the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Newcastle United to his signature.
Arsenal have been boosted in their pursuit as West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has ɾєⱱєɑłєԀ that Rice isset to leavehis current employers this summer after seeking a fresh challenge.
Although the England international is preparing to enter the final 12 months of his£60,000-per-week contract, which the Hammers have an option to extєɴԀ by a further year,£120million has been setas his price tag.
Transfer insider Dean Jones recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthat Rice wants to hold discussions withArsenalas soon as possible.
What has Ben Jacobs said about Rice?
Jacobs is expecting to seeArsenalhead to the negotiating table imminently as they look to make Rice their first signing of the summer.
Although West Ham are hoping to secure more than the £106.8million Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez earlier this year,shattering the British transfer record, the respected journalist understands the Gunners are not looking to reach that figure.
“Even though David Moyes has publicly and repeatedly mentioned a British transfer record fee, and spoken about Rice being a like-for-like price with Enzo Fernandez, the reality is that Enzo Fernandez had a sky-high release clause and his market value was half that. “Declan Rice does not have a release clause that you can hold him to account for, value-wise, and only effectively has two years left on the contract. He has one year, plus the ability to extєɴԀ by one year.
“That, of course, informs the valuation as well.Arsenalare hoping they can get Rice for under £100million.”
Would Rice be an exciting signing for Arsenal?
Sofascoredata highlights that Rice won four ground duels, completed three clearances and made as many tackles as West Ham got their hands on the Europa Conference League trophy earlier this week.
The 2-1 victory over Fiorentina allowed the Hammers skipper to clinch thefirst piece of silverwareduring the early stages of his promising career.
Rice has an abundance of Premier League experience, having made204 appearancesin the competition, and that will be a huge attraction for Arteta as it means he will not need time to adapt to the pace of the division.
The 24-year-old is also becoming an increasing goal threat, thanks tofinding the back of the net five timesand providing a further four assists during the 2022/23 campaign.
