Arsenal believe they can win the battle for Declan Rice's signature by quadrupling the England international's West Ham salary.
Rice, 24, is expected to leave the Hammers in the summer after expressing a desire to play Champions League football in the near future. A number of clubs have been linked with the midfielder in recent months, including Chelsea and Manchester United.
Arsenal have already booked their spot in next season's Champions League, which will interest Rice. He is unlikely to sign a new contract with West Ham, who could be forced to cash in on their prized asset before his existing deal expires in June 2025.
As reported by the Daily Star, Arsenal are in pole position to land Rice. It's believed the player currently earns £60,000-a-week, with the Gunners willing to make him one of their highest earners. His salary could quadruple to around £240,000-a-week.
Rice revealed his aim to play in the Champions League during the World Cup in Qatar. He told reporters when asked: "Yeah - 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 [with England], who are playing Champions League and competing for big trophies.
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"You only get one career and at the end of it you want to look back at what you've won and the biggest games you've played in. I really want to do that."
West Ham are more likely to be playing in the Championship than the Champions League. The Hammers are 15th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone with four games to go. They host Manchester United on Sunday evening.
Rice will be keen to guide West Ham to safety before thinking about a summer transfer. He will also be dreaming of lifting the club's first trophy in 43 years on June 7, when the Europa Conference League final takes place in Prague. West Ham's semi-final opponents are AZ Alkmaar, with Fiorentina and Basel competing in the other tie.
West Ham manager David Moyes was asked about Rice's future in February. He replied: "Undoubtedly he’s going to be a top player, and undoubtedly he’ll be a British transfer record and more whenever he leaves West Ham."
The current British transfer record is held by Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in a £107m deal in January. Jack Grealish is the most expensive British footballer of all time after his £100m move from Aston Villa to Manchester City two years ago.
Moyes was also asked whether a summer transfer is inevitable for Rice. He said: "I hope it’s not! A lot’s been said about it and when you see what’s been happening with prices, I think Declan will be blowing that out the water when it comes around."
