West Ham United captain Declan Rice is a man in high demand, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United all said to be interested in a potential transfer
Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United are locked in an intense battle to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice ahead of the summer transfer window
Rice is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract with David Moyes' side, although the east Londoners do have the option to extend the England international's deal by a further year if they so wish. But that won't stop interested clubs from pursuing a deal, with the Gunners making him their priority target for the summer window, football.london understands.
United, Bayern and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on Rice's future and a move to Mikel Arteta's men is far from guaranteed so football.london has taken a look at everything you need to know about the 24-year-old's future below.
Bayern bid
Bayern are prepared to pay a package worth £95million for Rice, as per the Mirror.
Their report claims that the Bundesliga champions believe they can beat both Arsenal and Chelsea in the battle to sign the England international, although West Ham will reject the £95million offer considering they value the player more than the potential bid. It is also said that the proposition could prove 'tempting' for Rice.
Major Bayern twist
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel spoke to Declan Rice about a possible transfer this summer, according to Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "There was a phone call with Tuchel a few days ago! Been told it was a good talk. Both appreciate each other. Rice is open to join Bayern & Tuchel. FCB wants to intensify their efforts now. He’s still a transfer target. But: Time is running as he could sign for Arsenal."
Opening bid expected soon
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "Arsenal have not changed their plans for Declan Rice as top target: opening bid to be submitted in June, waiting for West Ham to clarify final price tag.
"Nothing is agreed or done, race remains open. Other clubs are also interested; so timing will be crucial."
Arsenal breakthrough
Arsenal have made a huge breakthrough in their attempt to land Declan Rice from West Ham this summer as the Mirror reports that the midfielder has made the Emirates Stadium his preferred destination. It comes as a huge boost to the Gunners, who face competition from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United for his signature.
Ten Hag's acceptance
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is 'resigned' to the fact that Rice will join Arsenal and not the Red Devils, according to The Sun.
It is claimed that Ten Hag has accepted United are unlikely to secure a deal to sign Rice, who is said to favour a move to join the Gunners. The Dutchman will make a move for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount instead.
Bidding war sparked
According to the Daily Mail, United have officially joined the race to sign Rice, with a bidding war potentially on the horizon - something that West Ham hoped would happen.
It is claimed that Arsenal, who are most advanced in their interest of the England international, are likely to open talks with the Hammers regarding a £90 million deal for Rice. However, this is said to have fallen more than £10 million short of West Ham's valuation of the player.
West Ham asking price claim
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs has claimed that West Ham may have to settle for less than their asking price when it comes to selling Arsenal target Rice this summer.
"With Declan Rice, a lot of the prep is being done internally at Arsenal as they start to understand what they may need to get Rice and what is more gamesmanship on the West Ham side," Jacobs told Give Me Sport.
"So, this British transfer record number and David Moyes has even said as large as £120million is, in my opinion, unrealistic from West Ham. Comparing Rice to Enzo Fernandez is not necessarily apt. Of course, if we’re comparing footballer to footballer, you can make a comparison. But the situation with Enzo was that he had a sky-high release clause, and Chelsea desperately wanted him. Whereas with Declan Rice, he’s got one year plus a one-year extension left on the contract.
"That affects the valuation, as does Declan Rice wanting to leave West Ham. After being extremely firm on keeping him last summer, there has always been an understanding that Rice could depart for the right opportunity, and West Ham have been resigned in many ways to losing Rice.”
Bayern enter race
German transfer guru Florian Plettenberg has confirmed that Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is extremely keen to prise Rice away from the London Stadium this summer. Writing on Twitter, Plettenburg said: "News #Rice: He‘s one of the desired players of #Tuchel confirmed. Bayern bosses are also convinced that he’s the perfect defensive midfielder for Bayern.
"(Arrow emoji) There were talks with the players management (Arrow emoji) Tuchel is 100 % involved. But: Bayern is aware of the fact that @Arsenal is pushing for him. His price: Around £70m. Very difficult transfer target. @SkySportDE."
United battle
Arsenal are expected to lodge a structured £90m offer for Rice but West Ham want considerably more for their captain, according to the Daily Mail.
Their report claims that the Hammers believe that Manchester United are more likely to meet their demands for the 24-year-old. It is said that if the Gunners miss out on a deal for Rice, they will look to sign one of Ruben Neves, Martin Zubimendi or Moises Caicedo instead.
Chelsea suffer setback
Chelsea had Declan Rice at the top of their list of transfer targets this summer - but things have happened behind the scenes that 'did not go down very well with him and his family', according to @LondonsFirst_ - backed up by Simon Phillips.
Xhaka exit
Arsenal could already be making room for Rice in the midfield, with the news that Granit Xhaka looks set to leave the club.
football.london understands the Gunners star is in advanced talks over a move to Bayer Leverkusen, with a deal set at around £13million.
Arsenal prepare offer
According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are putting together an offer worth a club-record £92million for Rice, although West Ham want as much as possible of that sum paid up front.
It is also claimed that the Gunners remain confident that they can agree a deal with the Hammers despite interest from Manchester United.
West Ham decision
West Ham have seemingly set the exact date they would be willing to enter negotiations to sell star man Declan Rice this summer, according to a new report.
The Hammers are almost mathematically safe from relegation which could see the club increase their asking price for the 24-year-old.
Although there remains not much left to play for in their Premier League campaign, David Moyes's side are in the Europa Conference League semi-final. As per the Evening Standard, West Ham plan to delay talks for Rice until their European adventure is over which could be as late as June 7 which is when the final is set to take place.
A 2-1 first leg win against AZ Alkmaar has put the Hammers in control of the tie with the second leg in the Netherlands tonight.
Price stumbling block
According to the Daily Mail, Rice is open to joining the Gunners now they have qualified for next season’s Champions League, although it is claimed that West Ham's £100million valuation of their star player may prove to be a stumbling block.
Arsenal's current transfer record is the £72million they paid for Nicolas Pepe back in the summer of 2019, a move that ultimately failed to meet expectations. The most they have spent on a player during Arteta's time as manager is the £50 million they shelled out for defender Ben White two years ago.
White has undoubtedly been a success at the Emirates Stadium, establishing himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League this season.
Mikel Arteta plans face-to-face talks
Mikel Arteta wants to hold talks with Declan Rice as soon as the season ends, according to The Mirror. The Arsenal boss is increasingly confident he can land the West Ham midfielder despite the Gunners’ faltering title bid.
The report adds that Arsenal’s head coach, who used to play in midfield himself, believes he can help convince the £100million-rated star to move to the Emirates Stadium ahead of Premier League rival interest. Arteta will urge the Gunners to make an official approach once the season has ended to try to tee up a huge transfer when the window opens in June.
Arsenal advantage
According to the Evening Standard, there is 'optimism' at the Emirates Stadium that Arsenal will sign the midfielder ahead of the likes of Chelsea and United. However, the report goes on to suggest that the recent valuations of Enzo Fernandez, Jude Bellingham and Moises Caicedo will be used as a benchmark when deciding a price tag for the Hammers skipper.
Transfer meeting
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal recently held a transfer meeting where a summer move for Rice was heavily discussed. Speaking about the Gunners' failed move for Chelsea new-boy Mykhailo Mudryk the House of Champions YouTube channel, Romano said: “I’m told that right after the Mudryk story, Arsenal had a meeting.
"A meeting planning for the present – (Leandro) Trossard, (Jakub) Kiwior and more – and the future. And in that meeting, Declan Rice was mentioned also as a possibility, a player they really like.”
Real Madrid rejection
Spanish outlet Nacional, via Football365, have reported that Rice has rejected interest from Spanish side Real Madrid, telling the La Liga giants that he has already given 'his word' to Arsenal regarding a summer move.
Their report also claims that the England international, who is now into the final 18 months of his contract with the Hammers, will become the north London club's most expensive signing in their history, with a deal likely to cost more than the £72million they paid for Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe back in 2019.
Arsenal favoured
As per The Guardian, Rice is currently leaning towards a move to the Gunners because of the prospect of playing for head coach Mikel Arteta. The north London outfit are said to have made Rice their primary summer target, with the West Ham captain seen as the perfect candidate to challenge first-choice holding midfielder Thomas Partey and box-to-box maestro Granit Xhaka.
The idea of working under Arteta also appeals to Rice and the Spaniard has done a stellar job this season, guiding his side to the top of the table, five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who have played a game more than their title rivals.
Arsenal priority
Despite bringing experienced no.6 Jorginho to the club during the January window, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his midfield options at the end of the current window.
Champions League dream
While on World Cup duty with England, Rice admitted that he wants to play in the Champions League, further hinting at a transfer move: "One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that.
"I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies. You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
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