Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, held secret talks with the club’s top transfer target, Declan Rice in January regarding a summer move to Emirates from West Ham United.
Arsenal have reportedly agreed to a £100m plus £5m deal with West Ham for Rice.
Rice was one of the sought-after players in English football amid the ongoing summer transfer window.
Apart from Arsenal, Manchester City were also interested in the England midfielder. However, the Premier League champions refused to match the Gunners’ bid.
According to The Times, Arteta and Rice had a secret talk in January to convince the West Ham captain to join Arsenal.
Rice’s arrival could be a massive boost for the North London club as Granit Xhaka looks set to leave the club this summer.