Arsenal step closer to dream midfield with Declan Rice transfer as £80m Chelsea hijacking awaits
Mikel Arteta has overseen a dramatic change shift in midfield recently, with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka no longer central to Arsenal's plans
The Hammers were initially reluctant to sell the England international but, after he led the club to European glory, David Sullivan sanctioned his departure. football.london understands that Arsenal will pay West Ham a guaranteed £100 million, including a potential further £5million in add ons, making Rice the most expensive British player ever.
With Granit Xhaka cast aside and Thomas Partey expected to leave this summer too, Arteta has been tasked with the difficult mission of rebuilding the Gunners' engine room. Martin Odegaard will, of course, retain his place in the starting lineup, with Rice set to join him.
While the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Jorginho and even Kai Havertz will be keen to join the duo in midfield, Arsenal already have the ideal candidate in their sights - Moises Caicedo. With Odegaard given the freedom to venture forward and Rice given the license to drive forward through the press, the Brighton star could be the perfect holding midfielder to glue everything together.
If Arsenal were able to hijack their arch-nemesis' dream deal then they'd finally avenge the scuppering of a move for Mykhailo Mudryk. But, more importantly, the Gunners would certainly ruffle a few feathers and win the bragging rights...
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