Arsenal lead race to sign Declan Rice

Arsenal reportedly seem ready to try to win the race to sign Declan Rice in the summer, with the West Ham United midfielder an admirer of Mikel Arteta, according to Give Me Sport.

Despite Chelsea’s interest in the 24-year-old, the Gunners may have an advantage as the midfielder is said to be a keen admirer of their manager Mikel Arteta.

While the Premier League leaders have shown their ability to challenge for the title by competing against Manchester City, they must continue to strive for improvement each season. Therefore, Arteta recognises the significance of the upcoming transfer window and believes it could be the most crucial one in the club’s recent history.

The North Londoners are likely to secure Champions League qualification and could potentially win the Premier League title, making them an appealing destination for top players.

While prioritising the pursuit of Rice, Arteta faces competition from Chelsea for the midfielder’s signature. The England international, who rejected a contract extension from West Ham United, is expected to leave the club in the summer.

The Hammers could potentially earn a significant sum of money if they receive a substantial offer for Rice, whose contract is set to expire in 2024.

Arsenal have to offer him a lucrative contract that reportedly includes a weekly wage of over £200,000, which is more than three times Rice’s current salary.