Not GUNDOGAN – Premier League club agrees to sell £60,000-a-week key player to Arsenal after revealed his decision to join Gunners.

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West Ham United captain, Declan Rice, is reportedly eyeing a move to north London this summer, with Arsenal emerging as his desired destination. Renowned CBS reporter, Ben Jacobs, suggests that a swift deal between the Gunners and Rice could materialize if Arsenal present a competitive offer.

Football Insider reveals that Rice has already conveyed his intentions to West Ham and Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, expressing his desire to join the Gunners after engaging in discussions regarding a potential transfer away from the London Stadium.

Arsenal has been diligently laying the groundwork for this deal for several months, and while it may command a substantial fee of nearly £100 million, negotiations could be concluded within the next week if an agreement can be reached.

With personal terms already agreed upon by the 24-year-old midfielder and Arsenal, the primary obstacle that remains is to secure a satisfactory arrangement with West Ham.

Jacobs provides an update in an interview with GiveMeSport, stating that Arsenal will be eager to act swiftly to preempt any rival bidders, as evidenced by the recent case of Mykhailo Mudryk, who desired a move to Arsenal but ultimately signed with Chelsea.

Rice has expressed a clear priority for Arsenal, but the stumbling block lies in reaching an agreement with West Ham, who may be inclined to initiate a bidding war.

Nonetheless, if Arsenal acts promptly and presents a compelling offer, they stand a good chance of concluding the deal swiftly. Rice is keen on resolving his future promptly, and West Ham acknowledges that he will leave the club should the right offer materialize.

Arsenal’s disciplined approach to protecting their model is the only cause for concern at this stage, as West Ham could adopt a bullish stance in negotiations.

While Rice’s move to Arsenal is far from a foregone conclusion, as noted by Jacobs, it appears that Mikel Arteta’s side is well-positioned to secure the services of the West Ham captain. Strong indications suggest that Rice would be an exceptional addition to the Arsenal squad, given his impressive performances last season.

The Englishman’s displays earned high praise from the media, with many hailing his contributions as “unbelievable.” His exceptional performances throughout the 2022/23 campaign resulted in Rice receiving the Hammer of the Year award, a testament to his immense impact. Notably, he recorded the highest average WhoScored match rating among all West Ham players in the Premier League.

Rice’s leadership guided West Ham to triumph in the Europa Conference League, where he showcased his defensive prowess by making three tackles and winning four of the six ground duels he contested in the final.

These achievements highlight his readiness to make the step up to the Champions League, a competition in which Arsenal regularly participates.

As negotiations unfold, football enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of the potential transfer, recognizing the significance of Rice’s presence in the midfield and the positive impact he could have on Arsenal’s ambitions for the upcoming season.