Mikel Arteta will be keen for Arsenal to make headway in the chase for Declan Rice before the transfer window opens.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly on the verge of convincing Declan Rice to favour the Gunners in this summer’s transfer battle. Manchester United are also in the mix, but the West Ham captain is now close to settling on north London as his preferred destination.
With another stellar campaign at the London Stadium coming to an end, Rice has known for some time that he will effectively have the pick of the bunch this summer. West Ham are reportedly resigned to losing him, providing they receive the right price.
Arsenal and Man Utd recently emerged as the front-runners to sign the 24-year-old, with each side putting forward a convincing case. The Gunners went close to the title this season and Arteta is thought to be a huge admirer of the West Ham man, while the Red Devils could offer a reunion with his close friend, Mason Mount, if they advance in negotiations for the Chelsea star.
With that being said, The Mirror claim that Rice is ‘ready’ to tell Arsenal that they are his preferred destination at the end of the season.
A ‘huge amount of work’ has reportedly taken place behind the scenes at the Emirates Stadium, including Arteta putting together a plan on where Rice fits into his midfield rebuild. Granit Xhaka is among those expected to depart as a move to Bayer Leverkusen edges closer.
Although Rice is believed to have made a personal decision on where he sees the next step of his career, that is not expected to be communicated until after the Hammers’ Europa Conference League final next month.
