Arsenal are reportedly the favourites to sign Declan Rice, who looks set to leave West Ham United at the end of the season.
After turning down many contract extension offers, the midfielder’s future is up in the air, with Arsenal and Chelsea both being mentioned.
According to Football Insider, Chelsea are also interested in signing the 24-year-old defensive midfielder, although Arsenal are now in pole position to sign him.
Rice intends to leave West Ham in the off-season and join a Champions League club.
That provides Arsenal a significant advantage in the transfer market. Chelsea are now tenth
in the league table and are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League.
Declan Rice to make a move away from West Ham
The midfielder’s current deal at the London Stadium extends through 2024, with a 12-month extension option.
Rice has featured in 34 games for the Hammers this season. However, the England international could leave this summer as the club is fighting their way out of relegation.
Rice’s goal for England against Italy on Thursday will only boost his stock further, with West Ham likely to sell in order to prevent losing him on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.
The 24-year-old recently rejected an 8-year deal offering him £83million. This would have made him the highest paid player in the history of the club.
Meanwhile, the Blues will be looking for a replacement for World Cup winner N’Golo Kante as his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
As of now, it looks like Rice will make a move towards the Gunners but unpredictable transfers have become like a tradition in the world of Football.
It looks like a win-win situation for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are on the verge of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.
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