Arsenal fear the club could be priced out of a move to sign Declan Rice from West Ham this summer.
Arsenal have made Rice the club’s leading transfer target ahead of the summer window and are confident that the England midfielder wants to move to the Emirates.
The Gunners had hoped a figure of around £80m would be enough to sign Rice, but fear interest from rival sides could see them priced out of the race for his signature.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have also been credited with an interest in Rice, who David Moyes claimed would cost a British transfer record fee earlier this season.
According to the Sun, Arsenal now fear rival interest could force Rice’s price tag up and West Ham are said to be ‘more than happy to oversee a bidding war’.
Arsenal are concerned at that prospect after the club’s pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk failed during the January transfer window, with Chelsea gazumping Arsenal’s offer to secure a deal for the Ukraine winger.
Rice has turned down the offer of a new contract at West Ham and has made clear his desire to compete in the Champions League. The Hammers are unlikely to stand in the way of the club captain, but will insist on a record-breaking fee for the 24-year-old.
