Arsenal dealt Declan Rice delay despite Mikel Arteta’s ‘quick as possible’ demand

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Declan Rice.

Arsenal are keen to bolster their midfield options next summer, having fallen just short in their attempts to claim their first Premier League in 19 years.

According to the Telegraph, the club are putting together a club-record £92million bid for England international Declan Rice, though West Ham want as much as possible of that fee paid upfront.

While the 24-year-old has also attracted interest from Manchester United, the Gunners allegedly remain confident they can agree a deal with the Hammers and land Rice this summer.

However, Arsenal’s attempts to sign Rice could be scuppered after the Hammers qualified for the Europa Conference League final.

Arsenal’s Rice deal delayed?

On Thursday West Ham completed a 3-1 aggregate victory over AZ Alkmaar to reach the Europa Conference League final.

West Ham will take on Fiorentina in Prague on June 7, in what will be their first European final in 47 years.

However, the Premier League side’s progress will delay any meaningful developments in Arsenal’s approach for Rice.

Indeed, according to the Metro, Moyes’ side want to focus on the final before taking meetings on Rice’s future.

It will come as a frustration to Arteta, given the Spaniard is normally keen to wrap up their summer transfers early like he did last year when Manchester City pair Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus arrived before August.

In January, Arteta explained his preference in doing business early in a transfer window. He said via the Evening Standard: ​​“We knew the importance of getting players early in the summer and that is the same we want to do in January.

“This is idealistic. Sometimes it is not realistic. But obviously, if you ask my opinion, as quick as possible we want the players in to get settled.”