Arsenal's summer transfer hopes of signing Declan Rice could have taken a significant hit after Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel spoke directly about a transfer to the West Ham star. The German champions and Arsenal look to be the two leading clubs in the summer race for Rice who looks destined to depart the Hammers once the 2022/23 season has finished.
Despite the Premier League campaign ending this past weekend, West Ham still have one more game to play in a Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina. Winning a European trophy could prove to be the perfect goodbye message from Rice who is the priority target that Arsenal want to sign this summer, as football.london understands.
There is no guarantee that Rice leaves West Ham before the start of the 2023/24 season with their firm valuation demand standing at £120million, despite him only having one year left on his contract. The Gunners look set to be backed significantly by owner Stan Kroenke, but Bayern Munich are also more than capable of spending large funds and Rice is one of their summer targets.
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Remaining in England for the 24-year-old appears to make the most sense, however a switch to Germany is certainly possible, judging by the latest update. According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Rice and Tuchel spoke on the phone a few days ago with the Hammers captain "open" to a Bayern transfer.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "There was a phone call with Tuchel a few days ago! Been told it was a good talk. Both appreciate each other. Rice is open to join Bayern & Tuchel. FCB wants to intensify their efforts now. He’s still a transfer target. But: Time is running as he could sign for Arsenal."
As mentioned by Plettenberg, Rice joining Arsenal is still the most likely outcome this summer, but the club will need to work quickly if they hope to acquire their summer target. An formal offer of £92million is being prepared by the club with it likely to arrive after West Ham's European final on June 7.
The Mirror are now also claiming the recently-crowned Bundesliga champions are preparing a £95million package offer for Rice, which is £3million more than what looks set to be Arsenal's first formal bid.
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