Arsenal are set to ‘step up their transfer planning’ for next season and have made West Ham captain Declan Rice the club’s top target.
The Gunners’ place in the Champions League for next season was confirmed this week after Brighton’s defeat at Nottingham Forest, a result which ensured Arsenal will compete in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2016/17.
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Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team will now begin preparations to improve the squad and the Telegraph are reporting that a leading midfielder is a priority, with Rice top of the club’s wish list.
Rice is expected to leave West Ham this summer after turning down a new deal at the London Stadium, though David Moyes has insisted it will take a record-breaking offer to sign the England midfielder.
Arsenal also remain interested in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo after a failed approach for the 21-year-old during the January transfer window, while Mason Mount is also under consideration after contract talks with Chelsea stalled. Liverpool are expected to provide competition for the 24-year-old, who will enter the final 12 months of his deal at Stamford Bridge this summer.
In addition to the revenues received from competing in the Champions League, Arsenal’s transfer fund could be further boosted with player sales.
Kieran Tierney is understood to be a target for Newcastle after losing his place in the side to Oleksandr Zinchenko this season, while Folarin Balogun is attracting interest from across Europe after a prolific season in Ligue 1 at Reims.
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