Guendouzi is going back to London to replace the Irons' want-away captain

While West Ham are reportedly willing to sell their captain Declan Rice at the end of the season and are holding out for a $126 million transfer fee. Rice has made it known that he is eager to join a Champions League team to advance his career, so it will be virtually impossible to keep him at London Stadium. A replacement is already lined up - and it's former Arsenal midfielder Mateo Guendouzi.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool are among the Premier League teams interested in acquiring Rice. The Athletic claims that West Ham is already considering prospective successors for the England international and that Guendouzi, the France international, is on their shortlist.

The 24-year-old's loan from Arsenal was made permanent last summer for $11.4 million, and he is now in his second season with Olympique de Marseille. Guendouzi, who had a falling out with Mikel Arteta while at Emirates, is now a vital player in Marseille's midfield and still has two years left on his deal with the French club.

Meanwhile, Arsenal is hoping to add two midfielders to their squad this year and are likely to make another push for Brighton's Moises Caicedo in addition to pursuing Rice. The Gunners made several unsuccessful bids for Caicedo during the January transfer window despite being second in the Premier League standings behind Manchester City.

The transfer merry go around is starting to spin.