Arsenal have reportedly opened preliminary talks to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, who has “made it clear” that he prefers a move to the club.
What is the most recent Arsenal transfer news?
Mikel Arteta’s side were dealt a hammer blow in their pursuit of their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years, and it appears that their hopes are all but over after a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton.
Man City have one hand on their third consecutive domestic title after defeating Everton at Goodison Park, and a win over Chelsea this weekend could seal it.
Arsenal may have to go back to the drawing board as sporting director Edu plans for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Preparing for a title challenge next season may now take precedence, with reports indicating that a central midfield signing is on the cards despite the addition of Jorginho.
Arsenal has also been linked with moves for forwards such as Jonathan David and Lois Openda, as the north London club looks to Ligue 1 for reinforcements.
Returning to the midfield, Rice has been mentioned as a transfer target on numerous occasions, and he appears to be on his way out of West Ham.
Despite recent reports that they have dropped out of the race, the vast majority of sources say Rice is still a firm target for Arsenal, with Football Transfers sharing some information.
According to the report, Arteta’s team has begun preliminary talks to sign the England international, who has previously stated his preference for a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners appear to have taken the initiative in the race for his signature by contacting West Ham in advance, who may demand a British record fee.
Arsenal could reportedly reduce his asking price through a potential swap deal, as the Irons are looking for a striker and Moyes is a big fan of Folarin Balogun.
What benefits could Rice bring to Arsenal?
According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old averages more interceptions per 90 minutes than any other West Ham player and is the club’s best-performing Premier League player overall.
Rice has also received praise for his performance in the Premier League this season, with Sky pundit Alan Smith recently describing him as “two midfielders rolled into one.”
Smith told Sky News (via The Boot Room):
“Dear Declan Rice, He’s like two West Ham players. He’s incredible, world-class, and he’s starting to add goals to his game.”
The main obstacles for Arsenal will be valuation and the difficulty of this deal, but if they can secure him, there is no doubt Rice would significantly strengthen Arteta’s midfield.
