LONDON – In a significant development for West Ham United, Declan Rice is set to depart the club after leading them to UEFA Europa Conference League cup success as captain.
Club chairman David Sullivan revealed that the Hammers had promised Rice he could pursue a new challenge, indicating that bids for the talented midfielder were imminent.
“We have promised Declan Rice he could go. He set his heart on going — as he rejected our £200,000-a-week bid 18 months ago, I think offers will start to come today,” stated Sullivan, highlighting Rice’s desire for a fresh start.
The rejection of the substantial contract offer signalled the midfielder’s ambition for greater opportunities.
One club that has already made its intentions clear is Arsenal.
The Gunners reportedly made the decision last month to submit an official proposal for Rice’s services after the cup final.
With the final concluded, Arsenal is expected to send their offer in the near future, as they look to bolster their midfield options with the talented Englishman.
While Rice’s departure looms, West Ham is also involved in a separate deal involving Granit Xhaka.
The club has an agreement in place with Bayer Leverkusen for Xhaka’s transfer, with the completion of the deal dependent on West Ham securing a new midfielder.
This indicates that the Hammers are actively planning for Rice’s departure and are already making moves to strengthen their squad.
Beyond Arsenal’s interest, Bayern Munich has also expressed a desire to secure Rice’s services.
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly a big fan of the midfielder, but the general sentiment suggests that Rice’s preference would be to continue his career in England.
However, no agreements or contracts have been finalised at this stage, leaving the race for Rice’s signature open to other interested clubs.
With official bids expected to arrive soon, the transfer saga surrounding Declan Rice is far from over.
The midfielder’s impressive performances and leadership qualities have attracted the attention of several clubs, creating an exciting atmosphere of competition for his signature.
As Rice bids farewell to West Ham, the footballing world eagerly awaits the outcome of this high-stakes transfer battle.