Mikel Arteta prefers "not to comment" on Declan Rice's Arsenal transfer speculations

Arsenal are heavily interested in signing Declan Rice

Mikel Arteta talked about Arsenal's attempt to sign Declan Rice and Kai Havertz in the summer window for the first time.

West Ham United's captain, Declan Rice, is the No. 1 summer target for the North London club, and a deal has apparently been in the works since late last year.

The club has had two offers rejected, the most recent for a figure of £90 million, opening the door for Treble winners Manchester City to come in.

Although there are questions regarding Rice's future, it is largely anticipated that Chelsea forward Havertz would go beyond the capital in an agreement worth about £65 million.

Not many managers have had as much support since their arrival as Arteta has, and the manager was quizzed by the Spanish daily Marca regarding the two players as he began an additional big-spending summer. Mikel Arteta's simple response, when asked about Rice, was:

“Sorry, but I can’t speak about players who’re not at the club. I prefer not to comment”.

To close the gap on Premier League champion Manchester City during the summer, the Gunners are plotting a major transfer coup. The Spanish manager is committed to returning the Emirates to their former splendour.

Declan Rice has not been a top priority this summer, and Arsenal are prepared to offer West Ham United a club-record cost of £90 million. However, Manchester City are also competing to sign him.

The Gunners will have the ideal chance to collect some money to support their successful recruitment drive. In order to make new recruits this summer, the Gunners must also free up their salary budget.

The English midfielder will need to arrive at a critical decision regarding where he is going to play during the prime years of his career in the coming days or weeks. 

What the 24-year-old could expect from seeing Arteta has been previously foreshadowed by current Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.