Arsenal ‘main race for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice’

Premier League leaders Arsenal are reportedly on the entrance of the queue within the race to signal West Ham United captain Declan Rice this summer time.

The Gunners are understood to have recognized the 24-year-old as their main goal forward of the 2023-24 marketing campaign, with Mikel Arteta‘s aspect allegedly assured of luring the midfielder to the Emirates Stadium.

Rice, who’s broadly thought to be the most effective midfielders within the Premier League, has developed right into a star participant for West Ham since making his senior debut in 2017, scoring 12 targets and offering 13 assists in 229 appearances throughout all competitions.

Nonetheless, hypothesis over the England worldwide’s long-term future with the Hammers is rife, as he has lower than 18 months remaining on his contract on the London Stadium.

Arsenal are anticipated to face competitors for Rice’s signature this summer time, with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea additionally stated to be occupied with his companies.

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In line with The Guardian, by way of The Mail, Rice is ‘nearly sure’ to depart West Ham this summer time and the midfielder’s most ‘seemingly’ vacation spot is Arsenal.

The report provides that Rice is seeking to play at the next stage as he has not been satisfied that the Hammers are ‘progressing’.

David Moyes‘s aspect had been vying for Europa League silverware earlier than securing a top-seven end within the Premier League final season, however they’ve since suffered a decline in fortunes on the home entrance this time period and are going through the prospect of relegation to the Championship, sitting simply above the drop zone on purpose distinction.

Arsenal, who’re understood to have been in touch with Rice’s representatives over a possible summer time switch, had been available in the market for a brand new midfielder through the January window and ultimately recruited Jorginho from Chelsea after failing to lure Moises Caicedo away from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Caicedo continues to be believed to be a goal of Arteta’s together with Rice forward of subsequent season, though the midfield duo might value in extra of £100m, and a transfer for each gamers appears extremely unlikely.

In direction of the tip of final yr, Rice hinted that he can be open to in search of pastures new after expressing his need to play within the Champions League – a contest Arsenal are on the cusp of qualifying for because the Premier League leaders sit 22 factors away from fifth-placed Newcastle United with 11 video games remaining.

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“100 per cent I need to play within the Champions League,” Rice informed reporters. “For the final two or three years I have been saying that. I have been taking part in persistently effectively for my membership and I really feel like I actually need to preserve pushing. I see my buddies right here who’re taking part in Champions League and for massive trophies.

“You solely get one profession and on the finish you need to look again at what you’ve got received and the most important video games you’ve got performed in. I actually need to try this.”

In the meantime, West Ham sporting director and Rice’s former teammate Mark Noble has reiterated the midfielder’s ambition to compete in Europe’s elite membership competitors, telling the Night Customary: “It is simply the world we dwell in. We’re West Ham and these gamers need to exit and play Champions League soccer – and do you blame them?”

“Dec is not any totally different. Dec will all the time be hailed at West Ham as a incredible participant and such a high, high particular person. However I do not suppose anybody begrudges him desirous to go and win issues. We simply hope he’ll preserve performing like he has been over the past month or so.

“Wherever Declan finally ends up, or nonetheless a lot somebody pays for him, whether or not it is right here or wherever else, he is price each penny. He is stated brazenly he loves taking part in at West Ham, however he has obtained ambitions as a participant to go and play within the Champions League and win trophies. I do not suppose any West Han fan can even have an agenda over that.”

To assist fund a big-money swoop for Rice, Arsenal might reportedly look to promote Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga through the summer time switch window.