Arsenal have stepped up their efforts in their pursuit for West Ham United captain Declan Rice in what is set to be a club record deal of £90m.
Mikel Arteta has been given the green light to spend big this summer to prepare the Gunners for their return to the Champions League. It will be the first time that the Emirates will see UCL football since the 2016/17 campaign.
As a result, Rice is said to be one of Arteta’s top targets, and the clubs are edging closer to progressing the deal.
Arsenal’s current transfer record is £72m which they spent on Nicholas Pepe in 2019, and while that move didn’t work out, the Gunners are prepared to smash their transfer record this summer.
The Hammers value their star man at £100m which the North Londoners are hesitant to match. However, they are willing to launch a bid of £90m. If Rice puts pen to paper, he could see himself earn over £300,000-per-week.
🚨 Arsenal are set to begin talks over the signing of Declan Rice and are preparing a contract offer of around £300,000-a-week. 👀
However, they are not prepared to meet West Ham’s £100m valuation of the player.
(Source: @SamiMokbel81_DM) pic.twitter.com/6sStzZ7W85
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 16, 2023
Rice would become one of the top earners at Arsenal alongside England team-mate Bukayo Saka, who is on the verge of signing a lucrative extension at the Emirates.
The West Ham man is one of a few targets Arteta has his eyes on, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi also on the Spaniard’s wish-list.
After Arsenal recently lost any hope of winning the Premier League, many believe that squad depth caught up to them in the end.
Signing Guehi would ensure Arsenal have stronger back-line cover which would have been handy this season.
With Rice looking increasingly likely to leave this summer, he could be joined by a fair few more players at Arsenal.
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