The other player known to be on Arsenal’s wish-list this summer is ball-playing Ajax and Netherlands defender Timber.
It is thought Ajax want more than the £30m that Arsenal have bid, while other Premier League clubs have been linked with him too.
The 22-year-old, who came through the Ajax youth system, is primarily a centre-back - that is where he played all his games last season. But he has played at right-back in the past for club and country.
a club-record £105m, with City not willing to match that. West Ham have not accepted the offer yet.
Rice’s development over the last few years has been notable. In 2018, the Londoner was playing for the Republic of Ireland and often deployed at centre-back — but since then he has become an automatic pick for England in the heart of midfield and West Ham captain.
Last season, Rice won possession more times (334) and made more interceptions (63) than any other Premier League player.
Only three players — Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk and Manchester City duo Rodri and Jack Grealish - carried the ball further than Rice’s 7.1km. Arsenal’s Saka was fifth on 6.8km.
So how does he compare to his potential rivals for a place in the Arsenal team?
With Xhaka playing further forward these days, Thomas Partey and Jorginho, after moving from Chelsea in January, were the Gunners’ defensive midfielders last season.
Ghana’s Partey and Italy’s Jorginho played more successful passes and touched the ball more - but they played in a team that won 26 games to West Ham’s 11. Rice won the ball more times, created more chances and had a slightly better passing accuracy than the pair.That puts him in a similar position to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Who else are Arsenal after?
The players mentioned above are those who have been signed or approached - but Arsenal are being linked with others too.
Arteta still wants Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, having failed with a £70m bid for the Ecuadorian in January.
BBC Sport understands even if they sign Rice, they might still go for Caicedo even though they play in similar positions.
They could also have the fourth joint top scorer in France’s Ligue 1 last season in their team. Folarin Balogun netted 21 times during a loan spell for Reims last season and is due to return to the Gunners this summer — although there is a suggestion they could sell him.
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