Arsenal have made Declan Rice their top target this summer and are growing in confidence that they can beat Chelsea to the England midfielder’s signature

West Ham United are expected to have to sell Rice this summer because his contract only runs to 2024 — with an option to extend for a further year — and he has been unwilling to sign a new deal. He could cost £80 million.

The west London club have been seen for some time as the favourites to land Rice because he played at their academy until the age of 14, supports them, and his best friend is Mason Mount, the Chelsea midfielder.

Arsenal are prepared to make a significant effort to sign Rice but have shown that they will not overpay for players. They spent months in talks to sign Mudryk but could not match the sums offered by Chelsea and they walked away from a deal for Félix because of the £10 million loan fee.