According to football transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal has allegedly held "inside" discussions about signing Declan Rice from West Ham United in January.
Before the winter transfer window closes at the end of the month, Mikel Arteta's Gunners side may receive reinforcements.
The Times reports that Rice is Arsenal's top priority heading into the summer, and the north Londoners are become more and more confident that they will approve a transfer for up to £80 million.
According to the source, the Gunners are confident that their position as the current Premier League leaders would allow them to outbid Chelsea and Manchester United for the services of the England international.
Popular journalist Rudy Galetti has disclosed that Arsenal has already made contact over a prospective transfer for Rice as they try to gain the upper hand.
Declan Rice has expressed a desire to leave West Ham because he is anxious to play for championships and the Champions League.
Although Rice's present employers have the option to extend the deal for an additional 12 months, his £62,000 per week contract is set to expire in the summer of 2024.
Given that Rice has averaged more tackles, blocks, and interceptions per 90 minutes this season than Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, Rice would make Arsenal harder for opponents to exploit.
Rice averages 1.3 critical passes and the same amount of shots each Premier League game, according to data from Sofascore, so his effectiveness in the last third of the field shouldn't be disregarded.
The 24-year-old was an important part of the England team that advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals at the tail end of last year, and he has excelled despite West Ham's troubles this season.
Rice is the highest performer for the Hammers with a WhoScored average match rating of 6.91, and Arsenal would undoubtedly gain from having him in the center of their midfield.
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