West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has reportedly agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a proposed summer switch to the Emirates.
The 24-year-old is expected to end his 10-year spell with the Hammers at the end of the season before entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium.
Rice has rejected numerous offers to extend his stay with West Ham, whose head coach David Moyes has admitted that the midfielder has a "good chance" of exiting this summer.
While the Hammers are at risk of losing their much-coveted captain for nothing in 2024, the capital club are still expected to demand £100m to sanction a sale in the current window.
Arsenal have been regarded as the favourites to prise Rice away from West Ham for the past couple of months, but Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest too.
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The Gunners may struggle to compete financially with some of Rice's other suitors, but Mikel Arteta's side have apparently taken a major step towards bringing him to the Emirates this summer.
According to Football Transfers, the Gunners have reached an agreement on personal terms with the former Chelsea product, who has made Arsenal his first-choice destination for a summer move as he pines for Champions League football.
While Arsenal have now cleared one significant hurdle, the report adds that Rice still wants to see West Ham compensated fairly for his exit, and the Gunners are yet to agree a fee with their London rivals.
As Moyes's men prepare for next Wednesday's Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, Arsenal have not yet begun formal talks over a move, but they will intensify their interest once West Ham's continental business is concluded.
Furthermore, Man United's chances of landing Rice have been damaged by the uncertainty over a possible takeover, while Liverpool may be reluctant to shell out West Ham's nine-figure asking price.
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Bayern could also be put off by the Hammers' demands, but a separate update from Florian Plettenberg claims that the Bundesliga champions recently held a positive meeting with the midfielder.
Rice can apparently envisage himself playing in the Bundesliga, and Bayern could now formulate an official bid after Thomas Tuchel gave the green light to a move.
The Bavarians are also said to be weighing up an approach for Granit Xhaka, whom Rice could replace at Arsenal as the Switzerland captain prepares to end a seven-year spell in North London.
Bayer Leverkusen are still thought to be leading the race for Xhaka, but a successful hijack from Bayern could see the German champions cool their interest in Rice as Arsenal fight tooth and nail to win the race for his signature.
The England international has contributed 15 goals and 13 assists from 244 games in a Hammers shirt, including five goals and four assists from 49 matches in the current campaign.
Ben Knapton
