Arsenal would “choose” Declan Rice “above anyone else” in the summer window, transfer insider Dean Jones revealed to GIVEMESPORT.

Rice has been linked with a move away from West Ham United, with Arsenal emerging as a likely destination.

Arsenal transfer news - Declan Rice

According to The Athletic, West Ham star Rice is a target for Arsenal in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Rice is reportedly wanting out of West Ham at the end of the season, with the midfielder having entered the last 18 months of his contract.

It’s claimed Rice has no intentions of extending his contract with the Hammers, having already rejected three offers.

Arsenal emerged as a target following their stellar start to the campaign, with Rice reportedly keen on playing Champions League football.

Elsewhere, it has been reported Arsenal have already outlined their summer transfer plans, with Rice earmarked as the Gunners' priority.

Midfield has been an area Mikel Arteta has been keen to improve for some time, with Arsenal missing out on Moises Caicedo in the January window, before eventually landing on the £12 million purchase of Jorginho instead.

Now, with Rice looking destined to leave West Ham at the end of the season, suggestions that Arsenal will do anything they can to land the England international continue to emerge.

What has Dean Jones said about Rice to Arsenal?

A fixture in the West Ham side since he broke into the team as a teenager, Rice appears to have outgrown the east Londoners, with a move away from the London Stadium looking likely.

Arsenal are well in the mix for Rice’s signature and transfer insider Jones insists they will prioritise the 24-year-old in the summer.

On the West Ham skipper, Jones said: “Declan Rice is the one that they would love and the one that they would choose above anybody else.”

Is Rice ready to make the step up to Champions League football?

It’s easy to forget just how much football Rice has ahead of him, given how early he broke onto the scene at West Ham.

Rice made his senior debut for West Ham on the final day of the 2016/17 season and has since featured over 220 times for the senior side (Transfermarkt).

According to FBref, Rice ranks inside the top five per cent of midfielders for interceptions made per 90 minutes, indicating his ability to act as a midfield anchor.

Of course, Rice - who could cost up to £85 million - already has experience at the top level with England, having played in all seven of the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 matches en route to the final, before making a further five appearances at the recent World Cup.

The London-born midfield maestro unquestionably has the quality to perform at the highest level consistently, with Arsenal correct to prioritise Rice’s signature in the summer window.