Declan Rice is determined to compete at a higher level than he is at West Ham United and is now likely to join Arsenal, according to a report.

The Guardian report that Declan Rice is almost certain to leave West Ham United this summer, with the midfielder hoping to compete at a higher level than his current club’s relegation scrap.

Though West Ham are in the last-16 of the Europa Conference League with a healthy 2-0 lead over AEK Larnaca going into the second leg, they’ve been a lot less impressive in the Premier League in 2023.

Even if David Moyes can steady the ship in the next couple of months and steer West Ham clear of relegation, it looks unlikely they’ll be playing European football or battling in the top half of the table next season.

As a result, The Guardian claim Rice is likely to join Arsenal, who are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements given their current batch of options are mostly entering their thirties.

The Telegraph reported last month that Rice remained a possible target for Chelsea this summer, but Arsenal are currently considered the favourites to sign him.

Speaking to The Athletic’s Handbrake Off podcast in February, Adrian Clarke revealed that Rice has been asking people about Arsenal.

“I can’t reveal my source,” Clarke began. “But I do know that Declan Rice has been sounding out people connected with Arsenal in regards to, ‘What’s it like there? What’s it really like?’, so that sounds like a positive.”

The England international isn’t going to come cheap this summer, however, with David Ornstein reporting that he could cost between £75m and £85m.