Arsenal have made contact over signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, journalist Rudy Galetti has informed GiveMeSport.
The England international continues to be linked with a move away from the London Stadium, and Galetti says the Gunners are one club who are interested in him.
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Arsenal transfer news - Declan Rice
CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, writing in his CaughtOffside column, recently claimed that Arsenal could join the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for Rice.
Whoever convinces the 23-year-old to join them will have to pay a lot of money for his signature, with West Ham reluctant to sell their skipper.
According to The Guardian, the Hammers will demand at least £100m in a bid to scare off suitors.
Competition for Rice looks fierce, but if Arsenal win the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League, they may fancy their chances this summer.
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What has Rudy Galetti said about Declan Rice and Arsenal?
Galetti has told GMS that Arsenal have already started working on signing Rice.
When asked if the north London club have made any contact, the journalist said: "Yes, just to collect preliminary information. It's true that Arsenal have him in their sights. Declan Rice, unless there's a sensational twist, will leave West Ham in the summer. Yes, first contact has already happened."
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: Confirmed Deals, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
Would Declan Rice be a good signing for Arsenal?
He would probably be an excellent addition to any team in the Premier League. Since breaking onto the scene, Rice has quickly become one of the best holding midfielders in the division.
The West Ham star really excels at winning the ball back, which he showed at the World Cup last month.
While England went on to get knocked out by France in the quarter-finals of the tournament, defensively, he did his job that day.
As per WhoScored, Rice made three interceptions, which was the most in the game. He also recorded three successful tackles during that encounter. Only Three Lions team-mate Jude Bellingham managed to outperform him in that department after making five tackles against the World Cup runners-up.
The above is just an example of what Rice can do and shows why so many of England's top clubs are after him.
Signing the midfielder will not be easy, but a move to the Emirates may just appeal to him given where Arsenal are and the direction they are heading in under manager Mikel Arteta.
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