Premier League leaders Arsenal are in pole position to land the signature of West Ham captain Declan Rise in the summer transfer window this year.
Arsenal are confident they will beat opposition from rivals Manchester United and Chelsea for the 24-year-old England international, whose contract with West Ham expires at the end of next season.
Rice is Arsenal’s top priority in the summer transfer window as the club look to get more squad depth that will compete in the league and cup competitions including the UEFA Champions League next season.
It is understood that the club will back Arteta’s transfer budget and this will include Rice, who is priced at over £150 million and poised to become the most expensive British football player.
According to Goal.com Arteta’s project, development of young talent and everything else he has built and continues to build at Arsenal are attractive to Rice. He has been crucial to West Ham’s performances in the last couple of seasons and looks to cement his starting position in the England national team so a move to high-flying Arsenal looks like the right thing to do for the Englishman once this season ends.
For Arteta, Rice’s style of play, where he can play both holding midfield and a more attacking role, his leadership qualities and his age bracket falls perfectly into the kind of players the Spaniard wants for his club.
West Ham are currently 18th in the Premier League and whether they make it out of the relegation zone or not, they seem to have come to terms with the fact that they won’t keep Rice for next season.
