By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

31st Mar, 2023 | 5:30pm

Sources: Arsenal ready stunning £100m+ Declan Rice bid

Arsenal have made West Ham star Declan Rice their first-choice midfield target this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Gunners are in the market for a new central midfielder and are prepared to go head-to-head with their Premier League rivals to secure the 24-year-old’s signature.

It has been widely reported that Rice has turned down three contract offers at the London Stadium, with the Hammers offering the England international a deal worth £83million.

A summer move now looks inevitable for Rice, with Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool all ready to compete for his signature alongside Arsenal.

West Ham are expected to hold out for bids of £100million or more for their star midfielder.

Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Rice and the Spaniard is keen to strengthen his squad with a marquee midfield signing this summer.

Arsenal are confident that they can lure Rice to the Emirates Stadium provided they hold off Pep Guardiola’s City and win the Premier League title this season.

Rice has grown to become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League during his time at West Ham.

He started his youth career at Chelsea but moved to east London after being released by the Blues in 2014.

After three years in the West Ham academy, he was promoted to the first team where he’s gone on to make 229 senior appearances for the club.

Rice was named West Ham captain this season after Mark Noble’s retirement, and since inheriting the armband he has made 34 appearances and scored twice for the club.

In other news, Arsenal plot new Raphinha raid as summer price tag revealed