Arsenal are closing in on making Declan Rice their record signing for a fee that could top nine figures.
The England international has recently enjoyed European success with West Ham United's Europa Conference League win and looks to be signing off from the Hammers on a high. Chairman David Sullivan even confirmed in the aftermath of the victory that his skipper would be leaving the club.
"I think it has to be," Sullivan told talkSPORT when asked if the final was Rice's final appearance. "We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going."
Now, The Guardian has reported that Arsenal "will face no issues when it comes to personal terms" and that the move is progressing quickly, with the 24-year-old Mikel Arteta's top target.
"A bid is yet to be submitted but talks between the clubs are progressing smoothly and there is confidence that the deal will be finalised soon," the report states.
The move would see Rice potentially replace the outgoing Granit Xhaka as a No.8 in Arteta's 4-3-3 – but could see a real shakeup with a side that has become settled this season. Rice could replace Thomas Partey as the deepest midfielder, as a more defensive option: which could potentially enable Arsenal to play with duel No.10s.
The deal could become Arsenal's most expensive transfer by around £30m, too. The previous record was set by Nicolas Pepe in 2019, with the Ivorian likely to leave this summer permanently.
Rice has just joined up with England for international duty ahead of the Three Lions' Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The midfielder is valued at €80m by Transfermarkt.
More Arsenal stories
Arsenal transfer news is ramping up this summer, with the Gunners set to loosen their wage structure to attract the best players.
Moises Caicedo is heavily linked, Xavi Simons is on the radar, Ivan Fresneda could join and Ilkay Gundogan is wanted, too. Arsenal could sell £100m worth of players, too – with William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey all wanted by clubs overseas.
Jay Bothroyd, meanwhile, has told FFT that the Gunners perhaps surprisingly, should be in the market for a striker.
