Arsenal's summer priority to sign Declan Rice is very clear with much of the early ground work already completed. Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also in the transfer race, but the Gunners currently lead the way and while that deal is taking up most of their time, plans for other targets are also in motion.
Despite some major Premier League transfers already being announced, a formal offer to West Ham for Rice from Arsenal has not yet been submitted. That is because of the Hammers' involvement in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday evening which Rice's team won in dramatic fashion courtesy of a late Jarrod Bowen strike.
After the full time whistle and celebrations, Rice was interviewed by BT Sport where his future ahead of the summer window was discussed. "Look at the moment, there's obviously a lot of speculation going on about my future," he said. "Obviously there is interest from other clubs, that's out there, but ultimately I still have two-years left at West Ham.
"I love this club, I love playing for this club, there hasn't been nothing yet, so look my focus is playing for West Ham, enjoying tonight and seeing what happens. I'm captain of this club, I absolutely love it to pieces, I cannot speak highly enough of this place and let's just see what happens."
It was then noted how bowing out on a European cup final victory would be a good way to leave, to which Rice responded: "Yeah look, let's wait and see; who knows, who knows." Alongside the hope of bringing Rice to Emirates Stadium, Arsenal also want to sign another central midfielder and bolster their defensive depth.
Moises Caicedo is one of the main targets in the engine room that the Gunners have shown an interest in, with a £70million bid submitted in January rejected by Brighton. According to The Times, Arsenal have planned a renewed offer for the Brighton midfielder alongside their well-documented interest and pursuit of Rice.
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Towards the end of the 2022/23 season, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi stressed on numerous occasions it was highly likely both Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister left the club this summer. On Thursday, Mac Allister's £35million move to Liverpool was confirmed and because of that bargain deal, it is likely the Seagulls will remain firm on their Caicedo valuation stance which is believed to be in excess of £80million.
Financially, pulling off both deals could be a challenge with the Telegraph reporting Arsenal's first offer for Rice will be a club-record £92million. Owner Stan Kroenke is set to provide the Gunners with a lucrative summer transfer budget but West Ham will likely demand a triple-figure fee to sell their skipper.
When Athletic journalist David Ornstein was asked about the likelihood of both being signed, he told Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel. "We know the interest in Declan Rice is strong. We knew the interest in Moises Caicedo was strong. I don’t know which way they’ll go or if there are other options they’ll pursue.
“I don’t think they would go for both given the costs involved. Let’s see, because those clubs have to be willing sellers.”
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