Arsenal increasingly confident of beating rivals to huge signing

Arsenal will be looking to move a step closer to the Premier League title when they welcome Leeds United to The Emirates on Saturday. 

The Gunners have surprised many people with their performances this term and currently sit eight points clear of reigning champions Manchester City.

Now, it appears that Arsenal are confident of beating City off the pitch, too.

As per The Evening Standard, The Gunners are increasingly confident of landing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

The report claims that the north London side believe their title challenge, and the prospect of Champions League football, give them an edge over their rivals in the pursuit of rice.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all said to be interested in the England international, who has impressed for The Hammers in recent seasons.

Rice is set to be the subject of significant interest this summer

Rice, 24, joined West Ham’s youth setup from the Chelsea academy back in 2013, and has made more than 220 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2017.

The report suggests that those in charge of Arsenal are prepared to back manager Mikel Arteta financially this summer, funding moves to bolster his squad.

West Ham are said to be resigned to the fact that Rice will depart this summer, despite the midfielder’s contract running until 2025.

The player is said to be intent on leaving his current club and has no intention of signing a new deal.

Previously, the England international had been linked heavily with a return to former club Chelsea, but The Blues landed Enzo Fernandez for a Premier League record fee of £107 million in January, perhaps suggesting that they will now cool their interest in Rice.