Arsenal are reportedly prepared to open talks over a £90m summer transfer for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
After their title hopes were effectively ended with Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, the Gunners are already starting to plan for next season.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hoping to build a side that can launch another title bid, and he is expected to be backed in the summer transfer window.
With the North London club looking to strengthen in midfield, Rice has been identified as their priority target.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are set to step up their interest and open talks over a potential summer transfer.
© Reuters
They are relucant to meet West Ham's £100m asking price, but they are seemingly willing to break their current transfer record to secure Rice's services.
The Gunners are prepared to surpass the £72m that they paid to sign Nicolas Pepe in 2019 and offer up to £90m for West Ham's academy product.
There is a belief that Arsenal will offer Rice a lucrative contract that could exceed £300,000 a week, which may help them fend off competition from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle United.
Rice is regarded as one of West Ham's most prized assets, having registered 14 goals and 13 assists in 240 competitive appearances.
However, West Ham boss David Moyes recently admitted that there is a "good chance" that the England international will leave in the summer window.
© Reuters
As well as pursuing a transfer for Rice, the Gunners are also considering a number of other targets, including Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
With significant funds available to Arteta this summer, Arsenal are expected to offset their anticipated spending by offloading players.
Despite featuring in 34 of Arsenal's 35 Premier League games in the 2022-23 campaign, Granit Xhaka could be allowed to depart the club.
Kieran Tierney, who has made just six Premier League starts this term, is attracting interest from Newcastle United, while Folarin Balogun may leave on a permanent transfer when he returns from his loan spell with Ligue 1 side Reims.
Reiss Nelson, meanwhile, is set to depart on a free transfer at the end of the season after he reportedly rejected Arsenal's latest contract offer.
