Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice for more than £100m, according to recent reports.
The Guardian claim that although no bid has yet been submitted from the Gunners, talks between the two London clubs are progressing smoothly amid confidence that a deal will be finalized soon. The report adds that Mikel Arteta’s side are also considering a bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo, with the Spaniard also trying to sign Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan.
Arteta tried to sign Caicedo in the January window but the Seagulls were reluctant to sell him, rejecting two bids from the north London outfit before the Ecuadorian penned a new long-term deal at the Amex Stadium. However, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has since admitted the 21-year-old is likely to have played his last game for the south coast outfit, expecting the talented midfielder to leave this summer.
“They deserve to change the level of the team and the competition, we have to be happy for them,” De Zerby said when asked about the futures of Caicedo and teammate Alexis McAllister last month. “We are Brighton and our policy is to help young players progress, we cannot keep our best players.
“That’s right, that’s our mentality and we have to find more young players.” Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Caicedo and football.london understands the Blues are expected to push for the versatile youngster this summer.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Gundogan is in the final three weeks of his contract at City. This means he will be available on a free transfer if he has not signed a new deal at the Etihad Stadium before then.
But Arsenal are likely to face stiff competition in the race to sign the Germany international, with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and a number of Saudi clubs also interested in the 32-year-old, while Citizens boss Pep Guardiola has also made no secret of his desire the veteran midfielder to stay in Manchester.
Speaking about Gundogan during a press conference earlier this month, Guardiola said, via Haters TV: “He knows what I think. Maybe one of you knows, we are neighbors, we live on the same floor. He has been my close friend for many years.
“As a player he is outstanding. Hopefully we can finish on a good note. Ciki (Begiristain, City’s director of football) is working and hopefully we can do it because this season (what) he has done is exceptional.
“Don’t forget (against) Aston Villa – the two goals he scored. This season he scored a lot and scored important goals many times.
READ THE FOLLOWING:
West Ham’s position on Arsenal’s £100m bid revealed after Declan Rice transfer deal completed
Arsenal gave a perfect chance to seal the transfer of Declan Rice as the match was scheduled