Chelsea and Arsenal will battle it out for Declan Rice's signature at the end of the season. The West Ham midfielder has been tipped to end his time at the London Stadium amid uncertainty over his future and seems destined for a move away.
Rice has made his intentions of playing in the Champions League no secret this campaign. The England international has tasted European football for the first time in his career over the past two years with the Hammers, but has now set his sights on taking on the world's best.
"I see my friends here who are playing in the Champions League and for big trophies," Rice said during the World Cup. "You only get one career and at the end of your career you want to look back at what you have won and the biggest games you have played in. I am really ambitious."
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For some time it seemed that Rice would return to Chelsea after previously repping the blue of London during his younger days before being released at 14. However, Graham Potter's side find themselves 10 points off the Champions League places, placing Arsenal as the favourite to land Rice in the summer.
The Gunners are currently the best team in the country and sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League following Sunday's dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester United. It has recently been reported that the 24-year-old is leaning towards a move to north London - where Champions League looks almost certain to be provided.
According to CBS Sports, Rice has been speaking of Arsenal in glowing terms to his teammates, pronouncing himself stunned with the progress the north London side has made. The English midfielder labelled the Gunners as "a top team" and admitted Arsenal are "coached incredibly well" after West Ham's 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day.
It's said that Rice could be available for around £85million after previously being valued at £150m by David Moyes' side. His signature will be a hot topic during the off-season this summer and former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has handed the West Ham star two reasons why he should choose the Gunners over a move to Stamford Bridge.
"Declan if you're listening, my message is very simple. If you want to improve - you're already a great player - and win silverware, you have to come to Arsenal,” Petit told beIN SPORTS. “I am sorry West Ham fans but I think there is no choice but for him to come here [the Emirates].”
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