Arsenal would be a more appealing prospect than Chelsea right now for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to both Premier League giants, although Jones believes he will ‘weigh up things properly’ following the conclusion of the current campaign.

Arsenal transfer news – Declan Rice

A report from The Times earlier this month revealed that Arsenal have now made Rice their top summer transfer target after failing to bolster their midfield options ahead of 2022/23.

Despite Chelsea holding a long-term interest in the player they released from their academy aged just 14, the Gunners are said to be growing increasingly confident of securing his signature.

Rice, who is believed to be valued at £80 million, has turned down the offer of a new six-year contract from West Ham and has since publicly expressed his desire to compete for silverware and play in the Champions League.

That has opened the door for the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea to try their luck for the England international, and it seems as though he could be at the centre of a fierce transfer tussle.

What has Jones said about Rice?

When asked if he believes whether Rice is favouring a move to Arsenal over Chelsea, Jones disclosed to GMS that he believes that’s ‘an easy stance to take’ at this moment in time.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

He said: “They're on course to win the league, so it's an easy stance to take at this moment in January. If I'm honest, I wouldn't spend too much time assessing this as a fan.

“Ultimately, he's going to weigh up things properly towards the end of the season. It looks easy right now, there's a huge gulf between where Arsenal are and where Chelsea are.”

Do Arsenal need Rice?

Mikel Arteta currently has the likes of Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny to call upon in the Arsenal engine room.

However, the capital club’s failed attempts to prise Douglas Luiz away from Aston Villa over the summer indicate that Arteta is not satisfied with the players currently at his disposal.

And Rice has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable and consistent performers in that area of the pitch in recent years, racking up 23 goal contributions in 221 appearances.

Only time will tell where Rice is plying his trade next term, but Arsenal will surely be fairly confident of enticing him to the Emirates Stadium given their impressive campaign.