Sources: Arsenal in pole position to sign Declan Rice on £200,000-a-week deal after new talks
Arsenal lead Premier League rivals in the race to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice after further encouragement behind the scenes, sources have told Football Insider.
Sources with an understanding of the 24-year-old’s situation have revealed that the Gunners are in sustained contact with Rice’s representatives ahead of a summer deal.
Arsenal are trying to steal a march on their rivals by negotiating an agreement with Rice before the end of the season.
The England international midfielder is widely expected to leave West Ham in the off-season – when he will have just 12 months left to run on his contract at the London Stadium.
His precarious contract situation means West Ham are only likely to be able to command a fee of between £70-80million for their most saleable asset.
It is also believed that the Premier League leaders are willing to hand Rice a long-term contract worth in excess of £200,000-a-week – a step up from his reported current wage of £60,000-a-week.
According to FBref, the current top earners at the Emirates Stadium are Gabriel Jesus (£265,000-a-week) and Thomas Partey (£200,000-a-week), meaning a deal for Rice would not break the wage structure.
Rice has made no secret of his desire to play at the highest level possible, and Arsenal look ready to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016.
The England midfielder would also join up with Three Lions teammates Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, and Emile Smith Rowe ahead of the European Championships next year.
Rice has started every Premier League game for West Ham this season – with the Irons captain playing every minute of every match in the top flight.
He will be essential to their fight against relegation as they currently sit inside the bottom three.
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