Arsenal are prepared to spend over the £72m they paid for Nicolas Pepe as they try to secure the signature of West Ham captain Declan Rice, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Gunners have joined the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in pursuing the 24-year-old, and Jones believes Mikel Arteta’s side will push the boat to get their man:

“I think Arsenal are definitely willing to break their own transfer record to sign Declan Rice, but I’m not sure they’re going to go above and beyond £100m and break the British record.”

There have been conflicting reports regarding Rice’s asking price. Respected journalists such as David Ornstein have suggested that West Ham could be willing to sell for between £75m and £85m, which would be well within Arsenal’s reach.

However, sources closer to the Hammers have put the valuation nearer to £120m, which could be well beyond the number that the Gunners are willing to pay.

Rice, who has 39 caps for England, has not hidden his desire to play in the Champions League, and Arsenal will likely be counting on his keenness to make the switch to the Emirates in order to secure the midfielder‘s services for a reasonable fee.