Arsenal frontrunnes in Declan Rice transfer race this summer ‘with Gunners already in talks with West Ham’

ARSENAL have emerged as frontrunners to sign Declan Rice after talks with the player’s representatives, reports say.

The England international has been linked with a move away from relegation battling West Ham.

Arsenal have emerged as frontrunners to sign Declan RiceRex

And according to Football Insider, his team have held talks with Arsenal over a move.

The league leaders have long been in the market for a midfielder to partner Thomas Partey, 29.

And after missing out on Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, 21, they settled for a £10million deal for Jorginho, 31, from Chelsea.

But Rice, 24, would act as a long-term solution, with the star ready to target Champions League football.

Even Hammers legend Tony Cottee has been left in no doubt West Ham’s captain will eventually move on.

Cottee told SunSport: “It is different with the likes of Declan or myself.

“The reason I left the club, and I didn’t want to but I felt I had to because I wanted to go and win something.

“When you don’t win things, it is hard, and the money side is not easy either.

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“If West Ham had a successful team that was winning things, Declan wouldn’t be leaving.

“There would be no reason to leave. He will leave this summer.

“I said all along that the moment they lost to Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-final last season was the moment Declan knew he needed to leave.

“If they had won that and won the Europa League and got into the Champions League, why would he leave?

“Now we are at the stage where Rice is in the prime of his career and wants to play Champions League football.

“As long as his exit is handled correctly, and I think it will be because he is a really good lad leading in the right way, I don’t think any West Ham fan would begrudge him.”

GettyDeclan Rice is linked with a move away from West Ham[/caption]