Arsenal are understood to be monitoring the situation at West Ham where £70m rated Declan Rice has continually declined to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Hammers. 

The 23-year-old England midfielder is viewed by the Gunners hierachy as the ideal successor to Thomas Partey - and would be a cheaper option than £100m rated England colleague Jude Bellingham

Rice has long been linked with a move away from the Hammers, with Chelsea and Manchester United long-term admirers of the former Blues academy star.

Rice's contract at the London Stadium ends in 2024 with the Irons having out in place an option to extend by an additional 12 months.

However, the midfielder has declined to sign a longer deal, adding to speculation that the star is interested in a move away from East London.

With speculation rising that Premier League leaders Arsenal are set to make a statement signing during the January transfer window in a bid to bolster their squad, Rice could make a sensational move across the capital from East to North London.