Arsenal are putting contingency plans in place if their efforts to secure the signature of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice end in failure, according to reports in England.

It has been claimed in the German press that the Gunners have already tabled their first bid for the England international but it’s quite far below the player’s valuation.

There are fears that the London club could be priced out of a move for Rice so manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are thought to be looking a potential alternatives.

Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is reportedly an option. Arsenal tried to sign the Spaniard in January only for the midfielder to knock back the club’s advances. He could be more open to a move this summer, although Manchester United are also now said to be keen. Any team will, though, have to trigger his €60m (£52m) release clause.

Who are Arsenal’s other alternatives to Rice?

Wolves’ Ruben Neves is said to be still on the Gunners’ radar. The Portuguese international has a year left on his contract at Molineux but it has been claimed that his preferred destination is Barcelona.

There is also a possibility that Arteta will revisit a move for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. The club had bids rejected for the Ecuadorian in January, along with Chelsea, but he could be sold by the Seagulls at the end of the season.