West Ham hand Arsenal boost in their pursuit for Declan Rice

• Arsenal have been handed a significant boost in their pursuit for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer
• According to reports, West Ham are currently in the search for Declan Rice’s replacement amid his link to Arsenal

Arsenal have been handed a significant boost in their pursuit for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice this summer.

According to a report by The Sun, West Ham are currently in the search for Declan Rice’s replacement amid the midfielder’s link to Arsenal. The Gunners could pay up to 100 million Euros for Declan Rice’s transfer.

West Ham are looking for Declan Rice’s potential replacement in case the midfielder joins Arsenal this summer transfer window. Photo/ The Sun.

Declan Rice remains Arsenal’s number one target this summer and the Gunners are expected to make a move for the England international. Rice, whose contract with West Ham expires in the summer of 2024, has remained tight-lipped about his future as his current priority is to help The Hammers survive relegation.

West Ham are keeping an eye on Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow as he is the potential replacement for Arsenal target Declan Rice. West Ham’s head of recruitment Rob Newman watched Sow in action last weekend as Frankfurt played against Borussia Dortmund.

Just like Declan Rice, Sow is about to enter the final of year of his contract and Eintracht Frankfurt could decide to release him. The Swiss international could be available for 20 million Euros due to the likelihood that Frankfurt could miss out on European football next season.

Djibril Sow played all four matches for Switzerland at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He first impressed West Ham boss David Moyes last season as the Hammers faced Eintracht Frankfurt in Europa League semi-final.

Granit Xhaka Could Be On His Way Out

Arsenal’s title hopes were dealt a major blow in midweek as they were demolished 4-1 by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s side were blown away by a stronger Manchester City side, who dominated the game courtesy of star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

But despite the thrashing, Arsenal will be in next season’s UEFA Champions League and Mikel Arteta has to reshuffle his squad. Whereas many people are focusing on arrivals, Arsenal are also planning to release several players from their squad this summer.

The Mirror reports that Granit Xhaka is one of the big names in Mikel Arteta’s team that could be on their way out this summer. The Swiss midfielder could be sacrificed to help raise funds for signings which will be made.

Granit Xhaka is one of the players Arsenal could release this summer to raise funds for new signings. Photo/ Eurosport.

Granit Xhaka, who is now 30, joined Arsenal in 2016 and has made 292 appearances. The talented midfielder has won the fans back over again in recent years but it seems this might be his last season at the Emirates Stadium.

Besides Xhaka, Arsenal are also planning to release Kieran Tierney, Folarin Balogun and Nicholas Pepe. Arsenal are currently ready to listen to offers.