Declan Rice, who is a target for Arsenal, has reportedly played his final match for the Hammers, according to West Ham United chairman David Sullivan.
It has been widely reported that the Gunners have made bolstering their midfield department their top priority this summer and have identified the Englishman as their main target. Additionally, it has been said that Arsenal will step up their efforts to recruit Rice and will make a formal £92 million offer in the upcoming days.
Rice has already played his final game for West Ham, according to West Ham chairman Sullivan, who was speaking to talkSport (via Sky Sports). The midfielder has been told that he would be free to depart this summer. As a result, Arsenal’s efforts to sign the England international will be greatly aided by this.
A lucrative offer to extend his contract with the East London club, according to Sullivan, was turned down by Rice because he wants to advance in his career.
Rice to Arsenal
The West Ham chairman further states that Rice, 24, is wanted by four clubs, and that those clubs want to make formal offers to buy Rice in the next few days. In order to recruit the Englishman, it therefore seems like Arsenal will face stiff competition, albeit it has been said that the Gunners are now the front-runners.
When asked whether Rice had already played his final match for the team after West Ham’s Conference League victory, Sullivan, the Hammers chairman, responded:
“I believe that it must be. We told Rice he could go after all. He made the decision to leave, and when the time comes, he must do so, forcing us to find a replacement. We did not intend for that to occur. He rejected our offer of £200,000 per week from 18 months ago. A player who doesn’t want to be there can’t be kept.
“I anticipate that beginning [on Thursday] are the offers. Three or four clubs have expressed interest, but you don’t make bids for players when West Ham is still competing out of respect for them.
Rice has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the last few years. So, purchasing a talent like him would certainly be a great coup for Arsenal if they manage to lure him to the Emirates Stadium this summer.