Arsenal are allegedly ready to start talks with West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice over a £90 million summer transfer.
\After virtually ending their title ambitions with a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, Arsenal are already planning for next season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping to assemble a team capable of launching another title challenge, and he is expected to be supported in the summer transfer window.
Rice has been listed as the North London club’s main goal as they try to reinforce in midfield.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal is planning to increase their interest and begin talks about a possible summer deal.
They are unwilling to reach West Ham’s £100 million asking price, but appear willing to surpass their current transfer record to get Rice’s services.
The Gunners are willing to pay more than the £72 million they paid for Nicolas Pepe in 2019 and are willing to pay up to £90 million for West Ham’s youth product.
Arsenal are expected to offer Rice a lucrative contract worth more than £300,000 per week, which will help them compete with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle United.
Rice is regarded as one of West Ham’s most valuable assets, having scored 14 goals and assisted 13 others in 240 competitive appearances.
However, West Ham manager David Moyes has revealed that the England international had a “good chance” of leaving in the summer transfer window.
In addition to Rice, the Gunners are interested in a number of other players, including Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
Arsenal are expected to balance their anticipated spending by disposing players this summer, with big sums available to Arteta.
Granit Xhaka may be permitted to leave Arsenal despite appearing in 34 of the club’s 35 Premier League games in 2022-23.
Newcastle United are interested in Kierney, who has only made six Premier League starts this season, while Folarin Balogun may go on a permanent basis when he returns from his loan stay with Ligue 1 club Reims.
Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson is expected to leave Arsenal on a free transfer at the end of the season after apparently rejecting the club’s latest contract offer.
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