Arsenal are preparing a club-record bid for Declan Rice, with the club confident of a deal for the West Ham United midfielder.

• Arsenal are preparing a club-record £92m bid for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
• Despite interest from Manchester United, Arsenal are confident they can agree on a deal for Rice.
• West Ham will delay any talks over Rice’s future until after their season ends.

The Telegraph report that Arsenal are preparing a £92m bid to sign Declan Rice this summer, working on the structure of what would be a club-record transfer fee.

The Gunners are hoping to raise funds through summer sales, and the fee for Rice is set to be their primary investment in the window.

West Ham United will reportedly want as much as possible of Arsenal’s £92m offer to be paid upfront, and it remains to be seen whether that’s what the Gunners are planning.

But despite West Ham’s high demands and interest from Manchester United, The Telegraph conclude that Arsenal remain confident they can agree a deal.

The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Arsenal are set to open talks with West Ham, and confirmed that the Gunners are willing to break their transfer record and wage structure to secure the signing.

But the Evening Standard claim West Ham will delay any talks over Rice’s future until after their season ends.

That will either be on May 28th, at the end of the Premier League campaign, or June 7th, if they make the Europa Conference League final.

West Ham are 2-1 up against AZ Alkmaar after the first leg, but they travel away to Alkmaar on Thursday.

24-year-old Rice has made 46 appearances for West Ham this season so far, scoring four goals and providing four assists from his defensive midfield role.

Rice is also an England international, making 41 appearances for his country, including playing the vast majority of their winter World Cup campaign – starting every game and only coming off once.

Arsenal are looking to rebuild their midfield this summer, with Granit Xhaka reportedly on the way out to Bayer Leverkusen, and significant investments planned.