Arsenal chiefs are growing confident of landing West Ham United captain Declan Rice.
The London Evening Standard says the Gunners have enjoyed a brilliant season under Mikel Arteta and the club's owners are ready to back him again in the transfer market as they bid to kick on.
Rice is viewed as the ideal addition as he suits Arsenal's recruitment model. The West Ham captain is 24 and has his best years ahead of him. Like the rest of the Arsenal squad, Rice is ambitious, wanting to play in the Champions League and compete for trophies.
There is an acceptance at West Ham that Rice will leave this summer. He is in the final two years of his contract and has no plans to sign an extension. Competition for Rice is expected to be fierce, but there is optimism Arsenal can land him.
With the club eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, Champions League qualification is all but secured.
That makes the Gunners an attractive project to Rice and they hope it gives them the edge over their rivals, while Arteta's record in developing young players adds to their pulling power.