Arsenal are confident that the club ‘hold the edge’ in the battle to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this summer.
Rice is expected to leave West Ham at the end of the season after turning down a new contract at the London Stadium and several Premier League rivals are interested in a summer deal.
Arsenal are understood to have made the England midfielder their top target for the transfer window and are reportedly confident of winning the race.
The Express are reporting that the Gunners are prepared to quadruple Rice’s wages and have moved themselves into ‘pole position’ to sign the 24-year-old, despite interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta’s side have shown huge progress this season to compete for the Premier League title and a move to the Emirates would allow Rice to remain in London and compete in the Champions League next season.
The north Londoners are set to invest in the squad once again this summer and will push for a deal for Rice, who West Ham have previously valued at a British transfer record fee.
West Ham could be forced to lower their valuation of the midfielder however, given Rice’s reluctance to sign a new deal. He is currently contracted to the Hammers until 2025.
