"My source..." - Journalist drops exciting Rice update as Arsenal scouting mission revealed

Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice following reports that the player has made contact with the Gunners' camp.

Rice has been rumoured with a move away from the Hammers ever since he turned down another contract at the club, expressing his desire to play in the Champions League.

And Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to lure the 24-year-old to the Emirates this summer,

However, the league leaders are likely to face competition from London rivals Chelsea, with the Blues thought to have a long-standing interest in the midfielder.

Rice on secret scouting mission

Now in a fresh update, journalist Adrian Clarke has revealed that Rice has been personally asking people connected with the club 'what Arsenal is like'.

Clarke told the Athletic's Handbrake Off podcast: “I can’t reveal my source, but I do know that Declan Rice has been sounding out people connected with Arsenal in regards to, ‘What’s it like there? What’s it really like?’, so that sounds like a positive.”

The news comes after reports that 'Mikel Arteta had drawn up plans for where the West Ham captain would fit into his team', as per The Guardian.

The account also stated that Rice 'is leaning towards joining Arsenal this summer because of the prospect of playing for Mikel Arteta', believing the 'Spaniard’s coaching making him a better midfielder'.

Ornstein rates Arsenal's chances of signing Rice

Respected journalist David Ornstein has since outlined Arsenal's chances of signing the midfielder, labelling it a "toss-up" between Arsenal and Chelsea for Rice's signature. Although, he is not ruling either Manchester United or Manchester City out of the race yet.

Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast, Ornstein said: “We need to keep an eye on other clubs like Manchester United, who have often been linked with Declan Rice.

"But also, who will be the ownership at the time and are they still in the market to bolster their midfield in a way that we’ve been led to believe in recent years because they’ve been short of top midfield options until the arrival of Casemiro.

"Manchester City – I don’t sense that they’re strong on Declan Rice. But, if Ilkay Gundogan leaves, then clearly there is a need.

"It's just the sense you get, which can of course change, maybe it’s an Arsenal-Chelsea toss-up for Declan Rice, as things stand.

"The Jorginho deal very much means a high-profile, high-level number six is going to be on the agenda for Arsenal as things stand."