Arsenal have landed a huge boost for their interest in the transfer of West Ham United captain Declan Rice. The Irons have set a clear view for their next director of football.
That is according to The Guardian, which reports that West Ham have told their candidates that Rice will be sold this summer. Arsenal also remain the favourite to sign the 24-year-old despite the threat of rival interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Bayern Munich are also looking to lure Rice to Germany with manager Thomas Tuchel even holding talks with the midfielder. But the 41-cap England international is reluctant to leave the Premier League. He is eager to stay in the division should West Ham grant any transfer.
West Ham have set a clear stance on Declan Rice’s transfer
Arsenal will take further encouragement as the favourites to sign Rice with West Ham now telling their director of football candidates that the midfielder will be sold this summer. The Hammers are eager to appoint a new DOF over the off-season after a frustrating campaign.
A host of the Irons’ signings last summer have not delivered the desired impact at London Stadium. Dissatisfaction at their struggles to adapt to David Moyes’ system spread among the Hammers’ hierarchy. So, they hope a director of football would improve their signings.
But West Ham are also telling any candidates to fill their director of football role that Rice will be sold. Their clear stance on the midfielder’s future will surely delight Mikel Arteta and the Emirates Stadium hierarchy. Yet Arsenal are still not a shoo-in to secure his signature yet.
Arsenal have set their limits to sign the Hammers captain
Arsenal have set their limits to sign Rice from West Ham over the summer transfer window. The Times also now reports that the Gunners have already indicated that they will not pay the £100m plus add-ons that the Irons are demanding. But the deal may still be on course.
Reports by Football Transfers this week also claim that Rice and Arsenal have now agreed on personal terms. While the Hammers product, who Stephen Warnock believes ‘would be an unbelievable signing for Arsenal’, views a move to Emirates Stadium as his priority, as well.
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