ARSENAL have allegedly received a huge Declan Rice transfer boost.
The West Ham captain, 24, looks set to depart the London Stadium this summer.
The Hammers are demanding at least £100million for their academy graduate, despite his current contract expiring in 2024.
And manager David Moyes recently admitted that there is a good chance” his influential skipper could leave the club at the end of this season – with James Ward-Prowse lined up as a possible replacement.
Arsenal and Manchester United have been long-term admirers of Rice, with the Emirates side once the favourites to land him in a club-record transfer.
Bayern were also weighing up a move for the Hammers ace and we reported last week how the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions were preparing to step-up their pursuit of the England midfielder.
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However, it then emerged that Rice had snubbed a move to Germany and now The Athletic have claimed that Arsenal are leading the chase.
United have been tracking the midfielder long-term and are still “keeping abreast of Rice’s situation going into the summer”.
But they also claim that “the fee being quoted and manager Erik ten Hag’s priorities lying elsewhere mean a turnaround is required for a formal approach from Old Trafford” to West Ham.
Rice is currently preparing for what is expected to be his last match for the Hammers in Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
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Meanwhile, Ten Hag looks to be closing in on landing Mason Mount to bolster his midfield.
The academy graduate looks set to depart Stamford Bridge this summer after reportedly agreeing terms with Man United
The Red Devils will have to pay £70million plus add-ons if they want to sign Mount.
Chelsea are prepared to let the England star run down the final year of his contract rather than sell him for a price below their current valuation.
There have been talks between the two clubs after United agreed personal terms with Mount.
But Chelsea are digging in amid interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and other clubs.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
