Arsenal can sign West Ham star on one condition as bombshell ‘quit’ claim made, with Newcastle lurking

Mikel Arteta has found out that one of West Ham’s most valuable players will quit the club if they are relegated this season, giving Arsenal a great chance at his signing, although Newcastle are also in the mix to complete a deal.

West Ham are under real threat of being relegated from the Premier League. They sit in 18th place on just 24 points. One positive for manager David Moyes is that they have a game in hand on other struggling teams such as Leicester, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

Moyes has managed to get West Ham to qualify for the Europa League and Europa Conference League in the past two seasons. But the Hammers are way off the pace this term and his position as manager has come under threat as a result.

Earlier this month, reports in Italy claimed West Ham chiefs were considering sacking Moyes and replacing him with Jose Mourinho. But so far the Scot has managed to stay in his job and will be hoping to steer the club to safety, as well as guide them to Europa Conference League glory. They will come up against Belgian side Gent in the quarter-finals of that competition.

If Moyes is unsuccessful and West Ham drop down to the Championship, then there will be some major changes to the senior squad.

Declan Rice’s exit looks certain to happen regardless of whether West Ham stay up or go down. But he could be followed out of the London Stadium by the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta. All of those three players will believe they are too good to play in the second tier of English football and will therefore push to join new teams.

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Football Insider have provided a report looking at Paqueta’s future. The attacking midfielder joined West Ham in August, costing the east London outfit a club-record £51million.

But Football Insider state that Paqueta will ‘quit’ West Ham if they fail to stay in the top flight. His agent is refusing to comment on his future and is instead insisting the player is fully focused on keeping West Ham up.

West Ham player wants transfer amid Arsenal rumours

But internally Paqueta and his representative know a transfer will simply have to happen if relegation is confirmed.

This news will be music to the ears of Arsenal boss Arteta. In February, reports in Spain revealed how Arsenal have begun ramping up their interest in the Brazilian.

The Premier League leaders could sign Rice and Paqueta from West Ham in a huge double deal.

Arsenal know they will struggle to sign Paqueta while West Ham are in the Prem. This is because Moyes’ side would want more than the £51m they originally paid for him last year.

But relegation would severely weaken West Ham’s negotiating position. And this could allow Arsenal to snap Paqueta up for a reduced price.

One potential stumbling block for Arsenal is the threat being posed by Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s side have also registered their interest in the 25-year-old.

Plus, Paqueta is very good friends with Newcastle midfielder Joelinton. They are compatriots, and this close bond could see Joelinton attempt to convince Paqueta on a move to St James’ Park instead.

West Ham can stop all of the exit rumours dead in their tracks by staying up. But in order to do this they must show more fight and creativity than they have been demonstrating so far this campaign.

Meanwhile, a Tottenham legend has admitted that a West Ham player would vastly improve Arteta’s starting eleven.