West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is now open to joining Arsenal after the club achieved the latest landmark in its revolution under Mikel Arteta, according to a new report.
Arteta's side have had a superb season up to this point, and remain in Premier League title contention with five games still to play.
After last week's 4-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City, however, they will need other results involving Pep Guardiola's side to go their way if they want to lift their first Premier League crown since 2004.
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But it has been a two-horse race for much of the second half of the campaign, with Newcastle dropping out of contention after a poor run of form around the turn of the year.
Looking ahead to this summer, the Gunners have made Rice one of their key transfer targets, with the Daily Mirror claiming Arteta will hold talks with the Hammers captain once the season concludes.
Now, their hopes of signing the 24-year-old have reportedly been boosted.
Declan Rice now 'open' to joining Arsenal
According to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, Rice has been assigned as Arsenal's priority target in central midfield, with Arteta keen to add potentially two players to strengthen that area.
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In addition, it is claimed that Rice is now 'open' to a move to the Emirates Stadium as a result of Arsenal qualifying for next season's Champions League.
The Gunners will play in the competition for the first time in over six years - and City boss Guardiola described that achievement as a key step in the club's development under Arteta.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of City's home fixture against West Ham on Wednesday, he explained (quotes via talkSPORT): "Maybe the mood there [at Arsenal] is a bit down.
"After seven years, they won the most important title - to qualify for the Champions League. Financially, for new signings.
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"I'm pretty sure they have to be so happy, because they make an incredible achievement."
Although the Gunners will be pleased to have qualified for Europe's top competition, they are still striving to win the title this season.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright told The Athletic this week: "Ideally, we want to finish as high as we can - we want to win it - but I'm excited about the next phase.
"When you speak to [sporting director] Edu and Mikel, everything is about winning, man. They just want to win."
Featured Image Credit: Alamy / Action Foto Sport/Alamy Live NewsTopics: Declan Rice, West Ham United, Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Premier League, Champions League, Transfers