Arsenal are leading the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice in the summer window, but the Gunners are expected to face stiff competition from Liverpool, as per Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old midfielder has a contract at the London Stadium until 2024, but the Hammers have the option to extend his deal for one more year.
Sky Sports claim that Rice will be allowed to leave this summer, but the Hammers are demanding a fee of around £120m.
Alternatively, West Ham would also accept £100m plus a player for Rice. The Gunners appear to be the “most likely destination” for the England international at the moment, but the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are also keen to sign him.
The Hammers are already receiving inquiries about him. The club believe that Rice is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, and they have promised they will not stand in the way of his dream of playing in the Champions League provided they receive a suitable offer.
Rice has been in fantastic form for both club and country for the past few years, and it looks like his time at West Ham is coming to an end.
Declan Rice: West Ham exit likely
Since progressing through the youth ranks at the club, Rice has made over 235 appearances for the Hammers.
He is the club’s skipper and has shown his love and loyalty for West Ham. He has never agitated for a move, but at the same time has made it clear that he wants to test himself at top levels.
West Ham have made incredible progress under David Moyes but the 2022-23 campaign has been very disappointing for them.
Moyes previously stated that it would require a British transfer record fee to lure Rice away from the club, and they stand firm on their stance.
Rice would be a great addition to any top Premier League side. He was always strong at tackling and putting in defensive shifts, but where he has really improved is in his distribution and making timely runs from midfield.
He is a natural leader and a complete midfielder, and any potential club will have to pay a premium fee to sign him.
Arsenal transfer news: too expensive?
The Gunners wanted to sign Moises Caicedo in the January transfer window but the failed to lure him despite offering £70m for the Brighton midfielder.
Rice remains their primary target but Martin Keown feels that the Hammers midfielder will be too expensive for them.
“I think Declan Rice is going to be too expensive for Arsenal, quite frankly,’ Keown told talkSPORT.
“I think he will be too expensive for Liverpool as well who have been in the Champions League now for a number of years.
“He’s a player Arsenal will like but not with those costs involved, I think it’s too much. Looking at Arsenal’s business, I don’t think it’s a route they will go down.
“I don’t think they’ve got the money, even though the Champions League will bring some more revenue. I don’t see him as a player Arsenal can afford to buy.”
Liverpool transfer news: Rice move unlikely
The Reds are looking to bolster their midfield this summer, and they have been heavily linked with a move for Alexis Mac Allister.
However, it seems, Rice still remains an option for them. The Reds rejected the chance to sign Jude Bellingham because they felt he is too expensive, and doubts remain whether they would pay such a high transfer fee for Rice.
West Ham defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the Premier League on Sunday, and they have now moved seven points clear of the bottom three.
