Rice to Arsenal ‘domino effect’ will pit Chelsea against Bayern for £70m star with Amrabat booby prize | OneFootball

Chelsea will battle Bayern Munich for Moises Caicedo if Declan Rice moves to Arsenal, with the England international’s transfer to have a “domino effect” on midfield moves this summer.

A report on Tuesday claimed Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement with West Ham United over a deal to sign Rice, who’s their top midfield target this summer.

Arteta’s side are reportedly willing to spend at least £92m on the England midfielder, which would smash their transfer record. Their most expensive signing of all time is the £72m deal to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019.

It is said a bid is yet to be submitted but talks between Arsenal and the Irons are ‘progressing smoothly’ with ‘confidence’ a deal will be sealed ‘soon’.

Arsenal are boosted by the fact hopes of a rival club landing Rice now ‘receding’ after Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United registered an interest.

Arteta is a ‘huge admirer’ of Rice and has ensured his club’s hierarchy has been the ‘most aggressive’ team in their attempts to buy him.

Further reports have suggested Arsenal could also look to sign Caicedo from Brighton, but Gianluca Di Marzio claims their move for Rice will put Chelsea and Bayern in the driving seat to land the Ecuadorian.

Di Marzio said: “Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo will have a domino effect.”

“If Rice goes to Arsenal, Caicedo goes to Chelsea or Bayern.”

“These three clubs [Bayern, Arsenal and Chelsea] apply for Declan Rice and Moises Caidedo. Caicedo will definitely leave Brighton.”

Another midfielder heavily linked with a move this summer is Sofyan Amrabat, who impressed at the World Cup in Qatar with Morocco, and the 26-year-old is thought to be Bayern’s third choice after Rice and Caicedo.

Di Marzio added: “If Caicedo goes to Chelsea, Bayern can get Sofyan Amrabat.”

“These are, I think, the three midfielders (Rice, Caicedo, Amrabat) who are eligible in the international transfer market for top clubs.”

Amrabat’s agent Mohamed Sinouh said back in April that there were “no proposals” on the table but Fiorentina have made a “promise” to listen to offers.

“We have no proposals for the summer, at least for the moment, but Fiorentina will listen [to offers],” Sinou said.

“It’s a promise they made after the President refused all offers in the winter transfer window.”