Chelsea ‘will act’ if Arsenal deal ‘collapses’ as Gunners join ‘race’ for West Ham star

Arsenal missed out on the opportunity to move 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday evening after battling to a 0-0 draw against high-flying Newcastle United. A victory for the Gunners would have extended their advantage over Manchester City into double figures, but instead, Mikel Arteta and his side will know that a win for the defending champions against Chelsea on Thursday will slice their lead to five points.

Next up for Arsenal is an FA Cup clash with Oxford United, but before then, there is still plenty of transfer speculation to work through. Check out Wednesday’s rumours round-up below...

Mudryk update

Arsenal have made a second approach for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk, but could face competition for the Ukrainian’s signature from Chelsea if they fail to wrap up a deal, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners have been linked with Mudryk for some time now, and are understood to have submitted an offer worth somewhere in the region of £44 million for his services.

Writing on his personal Twitter account, Romano said: “Arsenal second proposal for Mykhailo Mudryk is close to €50m fixed fee plus add-ons. Shakhtar expected to make a decision, the clubs are in direct contact. Personal terms, never been an issue - Arsenal is player’s priority. Chelsea will act if move collapses.”

Gunners in Rice race

Arsenal are in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, according to CBS journalist, Ben Jacobs. The England midfielder has been widely linked with an exit from the Hammers in rrecent seasons, and is likely to be at the centre of heightened speculation again this summer.

For a long while, it had appeared that a deal for Rice might be unattainable for Mikel Arteta’s side, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea looking like more realistic destinations. But given recent shifts in the upper echelons of the English footballing landscape, Jacobs now claims that Arsenal have a chance of snapping up the 23-year-old.