Declan Rice is ready to ask West Ham to accept Arsenal's latest £105million offer.
With Manchester City unwilling to match the Gunners' huge bid, Rice's desire for his current club to reach an agreement with Arsenal - and the fact he is prepared to inform the Hammers of his wishes - arrives a significant development.
It means Arsenal are now in a very strong position to conclude the signing of their No 1 transfer target.
Sources have indicated to Mail Sport that there is growing confidence at Arsenal that an agreement can be reached by the end of the day.