Arsenal are confident of sealing a deal to sign Declan Rice after the midfielder captained West Ham to a dramatic victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday.
Rice is Arsenal’s top target and they intend to move quickly to try to fend off interest from Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Newcastle.
Mikel Arteta’s side are leading the race for the 24-year-old and talks with West Ham are expected to accelerate soon. West Ham hope to receive at least £100m for Rice, who wants to leave, and it would strengthen their position if an auction developed.
Arsenal want to pay about £90m. The expectation is that Rice will make the switch to the Emirates Stadium. There is mutual respect between Arteta and the England midfielder.