Arsenal have earmarked Declan Rice as their summer transfer "priority" following a botched attempt to sign Moises Caicedo in the January window, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs revealed to GIVEMESPORT.

Mikel Arteta's side were keen to bring a midfielder into the club last month, eventually settling for the soon-to-be out-of-contract Jorginho instead.

Arsenal transfer news - Declan Rice

According to The Times, West Ham United midfielder Rice is Arsenal's number-one target for the summer transfer window.

It's reported that Arsenal see Rice as a long-term fix for their midfield problems, even after welcoming £12 million Jorginho from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.

The report from Gary Jacob in The Times claims that Rice is expected to be at the heart of a bidding war between a number of the Premier League's top sides, including record champions Manchester United.

However, due to Arsenal's current position as league leaders, the Gunners are confident of landing Rice ahead of their competitors, should they see the title over the line.

It comes after weeks of speculation surrounding Rice's future, with West Ham reportedly resigned to the fact they'll lose the midfielder at the end of the season.

Wherever Rice ends up ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, it's unlikely he'll come cheap, with West Ham believed to have placed a £100 million price tag on the England international's head.

Despite this, there are still suggestions that Arsenal will do whatever they can to lure Rice to the Emirates Stadium next season.

What has Ben Jacobs said about Rice joining Arsenal?

A sought-after talent, Rice has been touted with a move away from the Hammers for a number of years, with this current season expected to be his last in claret and blue.

During an interview with GMS, Jacobs reiterated this viewpoint, while insisting Arsenal are hoping to be at the front of the queue.

On the 24-year-old, Jacobs said: "So I think that Arsenal’s priority is going to be Declan Rice.

"Chelsea will be in that race, Manchester United might be in that race.

"Then with Caicedo, we have to wait now and see whether Arsenal return. It's not impossible that they get both.”

What does that mean for Arsenal's pursuit of Moises Caicedo?

According to The Athletic, Arsenal saw two bids for Caicedo rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion during the January transfer window.

While their January approach was firmly knocked back by Brighton, there is still belief that Arsenal could return for the Ecuadorian in the summer.

Jacobs recently told GMS that Arsenal are considering a third approach for the combative midfielder come the end of the campaign.

However, fresh reports claim the relationship between the two clubs has since been damaged, with Brighton unhappy about the ways in which Arsenal approached the Caicedo signing.

Of course, it isn't the first time Brighton and Arsenal have negotiated, with Ben White and Leandro Trossard making the switch to the Emirates Stadium from Sussex.

But there now remain questions over whether Brighton will consider a deal with Arsenal in the future.