Arsenal are getting “closer and closer” to sealing the signature of West Ham captain Declan Rice, according to Football.London reporter Kaya Kaynak.

The Gunners are believed to be favourites to secure the England international’s services and, while Kaynak does emphasise nothing has been set in stone, he thinks Mikel Arteta’s side are making progress in getting a deal over the line:

“It’s not done yet, but it’s looking closer and closer by the minute, but it’s definitely a case of ‘if’ and not ‘when’ with Declan Rice and Arsenal.”

Rice’s asking price is said to be in the region of £100m, so it is almost certain that Arsenal will have to break their transfer record to sign the midfielder.

The highest fee that the London club has ever spent on a player is the £72m that was splashed out on Nicolas Pepe in 2019, but that record is likely to be smashed.

Other teams, including Chelsea and Manchester United, have been mentioned as potential suitors for Rice, but the Gunners appear to be in pole position at this moment in time.