Declan Rice is Arsenal's number one target

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ARSENAL will pay more than £80million for Declan Rice after making him their top transfer target. — **Declan Rice has been made Arsenal’s number one target**

Declan Rice is a major summer target for Arsenal, who want to steal him away from London rivals Chelsea.

The 24-year-old is in the final 18 months of his current contract at the London Stadium. But he would still cost the Gunners more than £80 million, according to The Times.

Declan Rice is still committing to helping West Ham avoid relegation this season. Despite, he would only cost around £70 million to any willing suitors this summer.

Mikel Arteta’s top target is England midfielder Rice. And Arsenal is “confident” of beating Chelsea to the signing, which would likely break Arsenal’s transfer record of £72 million.

In case he relocates to North London, Arteta has informed Rice of how he would fit into his plans at the Emirates Stadium.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey with all three papers reporting that the club is looking to increase squad depth in the long term.

The arrivals of Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca, and Nayef Aguerd are being to improve the Hammers’ chances of qualifying for European football on a regular basis – as well as persuade Rice to extend his contract – but their £150 million+ outlay has produced no on-field results.

West Ham’s struggles almost certainly mean that Rice, whose contract with the club expires in 2024 with an option to extend it for another year, will look to leave this summer in order to advance his career – he has previously expressed a desire to play in the Champions League.

Arsenal is looking at a number of targets to strengthen their midfield options, and sources have told 90min that Rice is very much on the club’s radar.

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Chelsea is also targeting in bringing Rice back to Stamford Bridge after releasing him from their academy as a 14-year-old. Todd Boehly tried and failed to make him one of his first signings after taking over as Blues owner from Roman Abramovich.

West Ham have always maintained that any interested party must pay at least £100 million to sign Rice, though their bargaining power will continue to dwindle as they fight to remain in the Premier League.

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