Arsenal are reportedly fearful of being priced out of a move for their top summer transfer target Declan Rice amid a potential bidding war for the West Ham captain.
Mail Sport revealed in January that Rice has been made Arsenal's main target with boss Mikel Arteta aiming to strengthen the heart of their midfield.
The England midfielder’s contract expires in 2024 but West Ham can trigger a one-year extension.
Mail Sport revealed West Ham are resigned to losing Rice this summer should they receive an acceptable offer, with the clause expected to strengthen their position in negotiations by saying his contract is valid until 2025.
Rice has spoken openly about his ambition to play in the Champions League, which would boost the Gunners prospects of landing the star having already qualified for next year's competition.
Arsenal, however, are reportedly fearful that they could be priced out of a move for Rice given the interest of their Premier League rivals.
According to The Sun, Arsenal had hoped to pay around £80million for Rice and offer the midfielder a five-year deal with £300,000-a-week.
The Premier League title chasers are claimed to have concerns that interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Man United could allow West Ham to further increase their demands.
Hammers boss David Moyes has been resolute that his captain will not be leaving the club in for a cut-price fee despite his contract situation.
Moyes has previously stated that Rice will only depart the club if one of his suitors is willing to break the British record.
The record currently sits at the £106million fee Chelsea paid Benfica for Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January.
West Ham are reportedly hopeful the demand for Rice could see the fee reach as high as an eye-watering £130m.
While Arsenal have been viewed as frontrunners for the midfielder, the price could reportedly force Arteta to look elsewhere, with Man United reportedly also making the star their top target.
The Gunners had previously missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk in January, after Chelsea swooped to secure the Ukrainian winger for £88m.
Martin Keown has expressed fears that his former club could also miss out on Rice, suggesting the West Ham captain would be too expensive for both Arsenal and Liverpool.
Rice has made 44 appearances in all competitions for West Ham this season, with the club reaching the last four of the Europa Conference League despite their Premier League struggles.
The Hammers will face AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
If the East London side can overcome the Dutch team, then they could find themselves in a European final against either Fiorentina or Basel.
