West Ham United captain Declan Rice has reportedly earmarked Arsenal as his preferred destination this summer, despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The 24-year-old has just over 12 months left to run on his contract with the Hammers - albeit with the option of a further year - and David Moyes has conceded that there is a "good chance" that he will be sold this summer.
West Ham have hitherto managed to rebuff interest from 'Big Six' clubs in their captain, but he is believed to have rejected more than one renewal offer and can walk away as a free agent in 2024 as things stand.
Despite his contract situation, the Europa Conference League finalists are still likely to command a nine-figure sum to let Rice leave this summer, and Arsenal are believed to have emerged as the frontrunners.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is preparing for a midfield overhaul and has reportedly identified Rice as his number one target, but the England international is attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere.
© Reuters
Chelsea and Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for Rice, as have Man United, whom West Ham supposedly expect to match their £100m valuation as Arsenal formulate a £90m offer.
While the Gunners may initially be falling short of West Ham's asking price, The Mirror claims that Rice is favouring a move to the Emirates and will soon make Hammers chiefs clear of his preference.
As a result, personal terms between Arsenal and Rice are not expected to be a problem, and the Gunners are confident of sealing a club-record deal to sign the midfielder, but they will not enter talks with West Ham until after their Europa Conference League final with Fiorentina on June 7.
Rice left Chelsea's academy in the summer of 2013 to join West Ham and has since made 243 appearances for the capital club in all tournaments, scoring 13 goals and providing 15 assists.
The 24-year-old has scored five goals and set up four more across 48 matches during the current campaign, helping West Ham stave off relegation to the Championship as well as reach a continental final.
© Reuters
Rice could arrive in North London as a replacement for Granit Xhaka, who is expected to join German giants Bayer Leverkusen in a £13m deal when the transfer window opens.
Xhaka stated earlier this week that a decision on his future should be announced before Sunday's Premier League finale with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Arteta refused to comment on such transfer rumours when questioned in Friday's press conference.
Xhaka and Thomas Partey have often formed a successful midfield partnership this season, but the latter - who turns 30 in June - is also understood to be of interest to two Serie A clubs.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are supposedly hoping to sell Albert Sambi Lokonga, who has endured an underwhelming loan spell with Crystal Palace in the second half of the season and could reunite with Vincent Kompany at Burnley.
Should Arsenal's pursuit of Rice end in failure, Arteta is understood to have drawn up a three-man list of alternative options to the England international, who could captain West Ham for the final time in the Premier League against Leicester City on Sunday.
Ben Knapton
