ARSENAL are growing in confidence they can win the race to land their number one target Declan Rice this summer, according to reports.
The West Ham captain is also attracting interest from Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Gunners have had a superb season so far and sit top of the Premier League eight points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City.
The club’s owners are ready to back Arteta in the transfer market as they look to build on the progress made this season.
According to the Evening Standard they are confident of winning the battle for Rice.
Rice, 24, is viewed as an ideal acquisition and fits the north Londoner’s recruitment model.
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The England international harbours ambitions to play in the Champions league, win trophies and has his best years ahead of him.
There’s an acceptance within West Ham that their star man will leave this summer when he will only have one year left on his contract.
Arsenal tried to sign a midfielder in January with Rice considered but they opted for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, having two bids rejected.
Mikel Arteta’s side will be hoping they can add to their pulling power by being able to offer Champions League football instantly and point to the Spaniard’s record of developing young players.
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Chelsea have been long term admirers of Rice and released him as a 14 year old from their academy.
The West Ham man also has a very close friendship with Mason Mount but the uncertainty over Mount’s future coupled with the fact Chelsea are unlikely to be playing Champion’s League football next season doesn’t help their cause.
Interest from the Manchester clubs would further add to the competition for Rice’s signature with United having scouted him and City expected to be in the market for a midfielder this summer.
The Hammers will be hoping the strong interest in Rice enables them to maximise the fee they can get for the midfielder but will struggle to get near the £150million they have asked for in the past.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
