Chairman thinks £92m Arsenal target has played his final game for club

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Declan Rice may well have played his final game for West Ham United after new comments from David Sullivan.

West Ham United’s David Sullivan thinks the Europa Conference League final ‘has to be’ Declan Rice’s last game for the club.

Sullivan has been speaking to TalkSPORT following West Ham United’s stunning Europa Conference League final win.

Jarrod Bowen’s late winner handed West Ham a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina, sparking wild scenes in Prague.

It does feel a little sad that just about 12 hours on from West Ham lifting the trophy, we’re already talking about Rice moving on.

The midfielder is a wanted man and whilst he was delighted to win last night’s final, he may soon be on the move.

Sullivan has now suggested that last night ‘has to be’ Rice’s final game for West Ham, seemingly signalling a summer transfer.

Sullivan adds that West Ham promised Rice that he could move on and he has his heart set on leaving the London Stadium.

The West Ham chairman also claims that Rice rejected £200,000-a-week to stay, meaning it clearly isn’t about money for the England star.

“I think it has to be,” said Sullivan. “We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.”

“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there,” he added.

Arsenal now ready to move for Declan Rice

Many clubs will want Rice but the obvious rumour now surrounds Arsenal.

The Gunners are ready to let Granit Xhaka return to Germany and replace him with Rice.

The Telegraph claim that Arsenal are now planning to step up their pursuit of Rice within days.

Arsenal have wanted Rice for months but have wanted to wait until the end of West Ham’s season to make an official move.

It’s stated that Arsenal are structuring a deal worth a huge £92million in an attempt to bring Rice to the Emirates Stadium.

The report adds that Mikel Arteta and Edu are in agreement that Rice is Arsenal’s top target this summer.

Sullivan’s comments suggest that there could be movement very soon with West Ham now bracing for his departure.