Arsenal 'set to launch £90m Declan Rice bid' after Europa Conference League final

Arsenal will launch a £90 million bid for West Ham star Declan Rice after the Europa Conference League final, according to a new report.

The Gunners identified the Hammers captain as their primary target in January, with manager Mikel Arteta desperate to add more strength in depth in midfield to assist a fresh Premier League title challenge.

The Daily Mail claimed earlier this week that Arsenal will initially have £180 million to spend this summer, although that can be increased through player sales.

And it appears that half of that budget will be spent on trying to lure Rice to the Emirates Stadium and fend off competition from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Both United and Arsenal can, however, offer Rice the opportunity to play Champions League football next season.

Chelsea and West Ham cannot do so, although the Hammers will secure a spot in next season's Europa League should they defeat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final on June 7.

And speaking earlier this week, Rice stated: "My main focus is playing for West Ham and winning this final. My heart's set on that, doing it for the club, for my family, for the fans and that's my only focus. I want to make them all very happy and my focus is on doing that."

After the final, however, West Ham will reportedly be fielding a bid from the Gunners for their star asset.

Arsenal 'to bid £90 million for Rice'

According to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, Arsenal will submit a £90 million bid to sign Rice after the Europa Conference League final ends.

Should the offer be successful, the 24-year-old would become the Gunners' record signing, with the £72 million move to bring Nicolas Pepe to north London in 2019 currently the highest fee the club have paid for a player.

It is claimed that the proposal will be an opening offer, and that Arteta has asked the club to attempt to secure the player's signature as their first piece of transfer business of the summer window.

Furthermore, the report adds that Rice is understood to be settled in London, which may give Arsenal a boost over United.

Erik ten Hag's side are said to be willing to include players as part of a swap deal to sign Rice, with The Athletic previously reporting that the club have £100 million in the bank, prior to player sales, for incoming transfers this summer.