Arsenal to make stunning bid for England star after Arteta 'gives green light' for 'huge offer'

Arsenal are set to launch a big-money bid to sign West Ham and England star Declan Rice, according to reports.

Rice has been one of the Premier League's top midfielders for a number of seasons, combining inch-perfect tackling and tireless work rate with an excellent passing range and ability to burst forward and join attacking moves.

He has featured for England at three major tournaments, and started every game at the 2022 World Cup as Gareth Southgate's side reached the quarter-finals.

Rice has been playing European football with the Hammers for the past two seasons, but with David Moyes's side currently struggling to make that a third consecutive season barring Europa Conference League success, fresh speculation has emerged over Rice's future.

Telegraph journalist Matt Law, speaking to the London is Blue podcast in November, claimed that Rice would 'definitely, definitely' leave the club in the summer, with Chelsea said to be one of the main contenders to sign him.

The 23-year-old played for the Blues' academy between the age of seven and 14, and the Blues have been continuously linked with resigning him since his West Ham breakthrough.

But Arsenal are reportedly now set to enter the race.

Arsenal keen on signing Declan Rice?

Spanish outlet Fichajes have claimed that the Gunners have prepared a huge offer to try and sign Rice ahead of Chelsea this summer.

They report that Arsenal are willing to 'throw the house out of the window' to sign the midfielder, who would be a key addition to Mikel Arteta's squad.

West Ham are said to expect bids of close to £100 million for the player's services, but Hammers boss Moyes recently reiterated his desire to keep the midfielder at the London Stadium.

Speaking prior to West Ham's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Boxing Day, he said: "He wants to win and he wants to play for a really good side, which is going to give him that opportunity to do so.

"We hope that we can reach the Champions League. It is looking difficult at this moment in time, but we are not just going to roll over and let Dec walk out of the building, that is for sure. It is going to be a big fight."