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West Ham coach David Moyes has already stated the Hammers could lose Declan Rice ahead of the summer transfer window, with Arsenal understood to be the 24-year-old's destination.
West Ham United captain Declan Rice is one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League ahead of the summer transfer window.
Rice has already established himself as one of the best midfielders in the English top flight, and has attracted a lot of attention from a host of Premier League giants and elite clubs outside of England.
Rice has been linked with moves to Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and even Manchester City, with the 24-year-old touted for a big-money move once the market opens at the end of the season.
Rice is set to enter the final year of his contract at the London Stadium this summer, although the Hammers have the option to extend his deal by an additional 12 months.
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However, West Ham coach, David Moyes has already admitted the club could lose their most influential players in the summer.
"We honestly hope he stays," said Moyes via Sky Sports.
"We'd love for him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season.
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"So that's one of the scenarios around planning. There are plans that we have Dec here but we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him."
Amongst all the clubs linked with Declan Rice, Arsenal is understood to be the 24-year-old’s likeliest destination, with Mikel Arteta reportedly a fan of the West Ham midfielder.
It is no secret that Arsenal need to strengthen their squad in the summer after their surprising title challenge in the 2022-23 Premier League season.
The Gunners looked in an excellent position to finally end their 19-year wait for a Premier League title having sat at the top of the summit for most of the season.
However, the team’s shortcomings were too much to hide, as a bad run of games, inconsistency, and lack of depth saw them surrender their lead to the defending champions Man City, who many expect to successfully defend their title once more this season.
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Declan Rice has already been identified by Gunners fans as an ideal addition to the squad to help improve their chances of winning the Premier League next season as Mike Arteta continues his rebuild.
In this article, we will quickly look some key things to know about Declan Rice’s proposed move to Arsenal
Declan Rice to Arsenal: 9 things to know ahead of West Ham star’s proposed move to the Emirates
1. Arsenal are expected to bid for Rice in June
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According to acclaimed transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal’s idea is to go into the summer window for two midfielders and the Gunners are preparing an official offer for Declan Rice, which is expected to be submitted in June.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said:
"Arsenal are now preparing and thinking of the first bid for Declan Rice. It is not submitted yet but they are preparing that bid internally, it means that they are waiting to understand how much West Ham want in order to submit the first proposal."
"The idea is in June, to submit an official proposal for Declan Rice.", Fabrizio added.
2. Granit Xhaka’s exit has opened the door for Declan Rice’s arrival
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Granit Xhaka is set to leave the Emirates when his contract expires this June.
The 30-year-old Swiss midfielder has reportedly agreed terms with Bayer Leverkusen and will draw a curtain on his 7 year career as a Gunner.
Xhaka’s exit will surely open the door for a potential replacement with Declan Rice understood to be the desired choice at the club.
3. West Ham are open to selling Declan Rice this summer
West Ham are 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 midfield star.
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As per the Evening Standard, West Ham plan to delay talks for Rice until their European adventure is over in June after they face Fiorentina in the Conference League final on June 7.
4. West Ham have a replacement plan ahead of Declan Rice’s exit
According to The Athletic, West Ham are interested in signing Marseille star and former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi as a possible replacement for Rice.
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The Gunners are said to be keen on Rice this summer, with the Hammers eyeing up a former Gunner, Guendouzi, as a potential successor.
5. Arsenal reportedly have the upper hand in the chase for Declan Rice
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According to a report from the Evening Standard, there is 'optimism' at the Emirates Stadium that Arsenal will sign Rice ahead of their rivals, Chelsea and Man United.
The report also suggests that the recent valuations of Enzo Fernandez, Jude Bellingham and Moises Caicedo will also be used as a benchmark when deciding a price tag for the Hammers’ talented skipper.
6. Declan Rice reportedly rejected Real Madrid prior to their agreement with Jude Bellingham
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Spanish outlet Nacional, via Football365, have reported that Declan Rice rejected interest from Spanish side Real Madrid who have a verbal agreement with Jude Bellingham, as per Fabrizio Romano.
The report adds that the 24-year-old West Ham star has already given the defending champions of Europe, ‘his word' to Arsenal regarding a summer move.
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Meanwhile, The Guardian also reports that Rice is currently leaning towards a move to the Gunners because of the prospect of playing for head coach Mikel Arteta.
The north Londoners 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.
7. Declan Rice could reportedly become Arsenal’s most expensive signing in their history
Declan Rice, who is into the final 18 months of his contract with the Hammers, will reportedly become Arsenal’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.
8. Declan Rice wants to play Champions League football
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While on World Cup duty with England, West Ham skipper, Declan 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.”
Arsenal have since qualified for the Champions League next season, having missed out last campaign - another huge indication that Rice could join the Emirates outfit.
9. Declan Rice has reportedly dropped Arsenal transfer hints to teammates
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According to CBS Sports, Rice has been speaking of Arsenal in glowing terms to his teammates, and expressed interest over the prospect of playing at the Emirates Stadium.
The 24-year-old Three Lions midfielder reportedly labelled the Gunners as "a top team" and admitted Arsenal are "coached incredibly well" after West Ham's 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day last year.
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