Arsenal are facing a reality check when it comes to entering the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund this summer. Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all thought to be ahead of the Gunners in the pursuit to convince the England international to leave Dortmund.
The Bundesliga outfit are set to demand a fee in the region of £150million for their star player this summer given Bellingham's contract is not set to expire until 2025. Midfield recruitment is set to be one of Arsenal's priorities in the summer with Youri Tielemans as their top target until that stance changed after the Gunners' flying start of the season.
Interest from north London in Tielemans has now cooled despite the club agreeing personal terms with the Leicester midfielder last summer, football.london understands. West Ham captain Declan Rice has now emerged as the top target for the Premier League leaders this summer despite adding Jorginho to Mikel Arteta's squad last month, football.london understands.
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Champions League football looks highly likely to be returning to the Emirates Stadium next season which will see the Gunners receive a huge financial boost that could be used in the summer transfer window to strengthen the playing squad. Should Arsenal win the Premier League title as well, it could see them attract world-class players to join Arteta's squad, along with the added financial benefits they would be rewarded with.
Despite the promising signs ahead of the summer, the north Londoners are well behind the likes of Liverpool, City and United when it comes to pursuing a deal for Bellingham. According to The Athletic, the Gunners are admirers of the 19-year-old but his £150million price tag is likely to be just out of their price range as they search for a new central midfielder this summer.
This may be one reason why sporting director Edu Gaspar is prioritising a move for Rice. The 24-year-old's contract with the Hammers is set to expire in 2024 meaning this summer represents the last opportunity for West Ham to receive a significant transfer fee for the midfielder - who has rejected approaches from the club regarding signing a new deal to stay at the London Stadium.
Rice has expressed a desire to play in a team that competes in the Champions League and challenges for trophies on a consistent basis. Arsenal are a team on the up and the England international could come in to help strengthen the Gunners' chances of winning trophies and qualifying for the Champions League each season.
A new holding midfielder is thought to be a key area to reinforce for Arsenal, with Rice fitting the profile of that position and the club's vision of signing younger players with an ability to develop into world-class stars. Bellingham can play in a holding midfield role, but his attributes suit him more to playing in a box-to-box role.
Chelsea had been heavily linked with a move for Rice, but their recent acquisition of Enzo Fernandez may see Arsenal move into pole position to complete a deal for the West Ham captain this summer.
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