Declan Rice wants to join Arsenal over the alternatives if he’s allowed to leave West Ham United this summer, according to a report.
The Mirror report that Declan Rice is currently focusing on helping to win the Europa Conference League with West Ham United, but if he’s allowed to leave the club after that, his preference is expected to be a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have competition from the likes of Manchester United this summer, but Rice is ready to make it clear he favours the Arsenal transfer.
Arsenal have already put in a lot of work to make the move happen, and Mikel Arteta has a clear plan of how Rice will fit in his team. That’s always likely to appeal to a player.
Of course, the primary obstacle to the transfer is agreeing on a transfer fee with West Ham.
The Mirror claim the Hammers are expected to sell if their £100m+ valuation is met, but there are no suggestions Arsenal have offered that yet. All the same, the Gunners feel they are in pole position for the signing.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal’s plans for Rice haven’t changed. He remains their top target, and they’re continuing to plan a June bid to sign him.
As things stand, Romano writes that suitors are waiting for West Ham to clarify the final price tag, meaning nothing is done and the race remains open to other clubs.
Romano had previously claimed Arsenal are “very confident” about a move for Rice, and that they feel “they are the frontrunners” in the race.
Reports from elsewhere suggest Arsenal are preparing a £92m bid for the West Ham man, and they’re currently working on the structure of what would be a club-record transfer fee.
Talks will be delayed until after West Ham’s season ends, and with the Hammers making the Europa Conference League final, that means waiting until June 7th.
24-year-old Rice has made 47 appearances for West Ham this season so far, scoring four goals and providing four assists from his defensive midfield role.
Rice is also an England international, making 41 appearances for his country, including playing the vast majority of their winter World Cup campaign – starting every game and only coming off once.
Arsenal are looking to rebuild their midfield this summer, with Granit Xhaka on the way out to Bayer Leverkusen, and significant investments planned.