Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is increasingly confident he can lure Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium when he opens talks with the West Ham star at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta is reportedly increasingly confident Arsenal will land Declan Rice over the summer – with the West Ham superstar tipped to leave.
Rice has been back to his best for West Ham in recent weeks, but David Moyes’ side are still flirting with relegation. However, West Ham’s survival could be Rice’s parting gift – withThe Mirror reportingArteta wants to hold talks with Rice as soon as the season ends..
The midfielder’s contract runs out next summer, and he has rejected offers of a new deal. It’s believed Rice wants to remain in London and Arteta is set to give the green light for an all-out move to try and land the Englishman.
Champions League football is also believed to be playing a big part in Rice’s decision-making process.
Speaking from England’s camp earlier this season, Rice said: “One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years, I’ve been saying that. I’ve been playing consistently well for my club, and I feel like I really want to keep pushing.
“I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies. You only get one career, and at the end, you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
Arsenal have taken a hammer blow to their title challenge in recent weeks, dropping points in numerous fixtures before they were pulled apart by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners have now slipped to second in the table, and City can further extend their gap at the top should they win their game in hand. However, Arteta’s side look set to end their six-year exile from the Champions League.
Earning a spot at Europe’s premier banquet would help convince Rice when Arteta opens talks at the end of the season.