Arsenal could miss out on signing England international Declan Rice with West Ham keen on a Manchester City swap deal, according to reports.
Widespread reports have had the Gunners leading the race to sign Rice over the last couple of months with Arsenal already having two bids turned down for the midfielder.
Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu want Arsenal to sign two midfielders, a centre-back, a right-back and a forward this summer with Rice, Ajax's Jurrien Timber and Chelsea's Kai Havertz their first three targets.
Their latest offer for Rice, understood to be for £75m plus another £15m, was rejected on Tuesday and they are expected to make a third bid in the near future.
Arsenal fans have started to get twitchy though, after reports emerged that Man City could now look to challenge them for Rice, while there are also rumours Manchester United could make a bid.
That would be exactly what West Ham want with interest from a number of clubs pushing the price up and the Evening Standard insist that the Hammers 'are in no rush to sell the 22-year-old midfielder as they wait to see if Manchester City firm up their interest in him'.
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Arsenal are 'expected to return with an improved bid' while they remain 'confident that Rice wants to join them' - but ESPN claim that West Ham could be leaning more towards doing business with man City.
The Hammers are eyeing up a potential swap deal plus cash for Kalvin Phillips with the former Leeds United star only making four starts in all competitions under Pep Guardiola this season.
ESPN explain:
'Sources have told ESPN that West Ham are keen to explore a deal for Rice with City that would see Kalvin Phillips move to the London Stadium.
'Phillips struggled for opportunities in his first season at the Etihad but has said he wants to stay and fight for his place. West Ham boss David Moyes previously tried to sign Phillips during his time at Leeds United.'
That comes after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano issued his own update on the Rice situation on Wednesday.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: "Arsenal are continuing to work on the Declan Rice deal. They had a bid rejected on Tuesday but they will bid again for sure as he's their priority target. We don't know yet when, but a new bid will be submitted.
"West Ham always wanted at least £100m but a lot depends on payment terms and deal structure. Manchester City are also well informed on the situation, and West Ham expect them to enter the race in the next days."
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