"By the summer..." - Journalist names the player Arsenal are now "more likely" to sign than Caicedo

Arsenal are more likely to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice than Brighton's Moises Caicedo, according to new reports.

Despite signing Jorginho from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, Mikel Arteta is thought to be in the market for further midfield recruits this summer.

And the Gunners boss has reportedly identified Rice as his 'top target' after it emerged that the 24-year-old turned down a new contract at the Hammers.

The Times claim that Arsenal are growing in confidence that they will get a deal worth close to £80million for the Englishman.

However, Arteta also attempted to sign Caicedo in January, seeing two bids worth up to £70million rejected by Brighton, as per Sky Sports.

It was thought that Arteta might return for the Ecuador international in the summer. However, fresh reports suggest that Arsenal are more likely to sign Rice.

Journalist Paul Brown told GiveMeSport: “The Declan Rice link is definitely real. He’s on their radar too.

“I suspect, by the summer, if he does decide he wants to move, that one might be more likely to happen than Caicedo now.”

Arsenal and Chelsea in "toss-up" for Rice

Meanwhile, transfer expert David Ornstein reckons it could end up being a "toss-up" between Arsenal and Chelsea for Rice's signature. Although, he is not ruling either Manchester United or Manchester City out of the race yet.

Speaking on The Athletic Football Podcast, Ornstein said: “We need to keep an eye on other clubs like Manchester United, who have often been linked with Declan Rice.

"But also, who will be the ownership at the time and are they still in the market to bolster their midfield in a way that we’ve been led to believe in recent years because they’ve been short of top midfield options until the arrival of Casemiro.

"Manchester City – I don’t sense that they’re strong on Declan Rice. But, if Ilkay Gundogan leaves, then clearly there is a need.

"It's just the sense you get, which can of course change, maybe it’s an Arsenal-Chelsea toss-up for Declan Rice, as things stand.

"The Jorginho deal very much means a high-profile, high-level number six is going to be on the agenda for Arsenal as things stand."

Topics: Arsenal, Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, West Ham United, Brighton And Hove Albion, Chelsea, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Football, Transfers

Joe Adams

Joe is a Journalist for SPORTbible with a primary focus on football. He has previously covered a number of other sports including boxing, rugby and F1. Wishes he was born left-footed.

@joeadamsjourno