West Ham UnitedmidfielderDeclan Riceis ɾєρօɾτedly prepared to snub interest fromBayern Munichin favour of staying in the Premier League amid interest from the likes ofArsenal.
The 24-year-old looks increasingly likely to leave the London Stadium this summer, with managerDavid Moyesadmitting earlier this month that there is a”good chance”the England international will seek pastures new.
Rice, who has been named West Ham’s Player of the Year for a second successive season, has established himself as a star player for the Hammers since making his debut in 2017, recording 15 goals and 13 assists in 244 games across all competitions.
However, the midfielder is out of contract at the єɴԀ of next season and he has aspirations of playing for a club competing in the Champions League.
Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Rice in recent months, with managerMikel Artetaunderstood to have identified the Englishman as his top midfield target ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Gunners’ ownerStan Kroenkeis said to haveapproved a club-record moveto sign Rice, who is valued by West Ham at £100m.
Manchester United,Manchester CityandChelseahave also been credited with an interest, while Bayern Munich appear to have stepped up their pursuit of the midfielder in recent weeks.
Head coachThomas Tuchelis understood to haveheld talkswith Rice about a proposed switch to the Bundesliga champions, who are allegedly prepared to table an offer of around £95m this summer.
Former Chelsea boss Tuchel has been an admirer of Rice for some time and has identified him as the perfect player to operate as a No.6 which can allowJoshua Kimmichto play further forward.
However, Bayern appear to have suffered a major blow in their pursuit of Rice, asThe Mailclaims that the midfielder will turn down the chance to join the German giants in favour of continuing his career with a Premier League club.
The ɾєρօɾτ adds that Rice is settled in London which provides a major boost to both Arsenal and Chelsea in the race for his signature.
Arsenal are expected to lodge their first offer to sign Rice after the midfielder captains West Ham in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina on June 7.
Rice could be viewed by the Gunners as a replacement forGranit Xhaka, who is believed to be edging closer to joining Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent Ԁєɑł worth in the region of £13m.
