Arsenal have been given a further boost to their chances of signing Declan Rice this summer following a transfer decision made by main rivals for his signature Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions are keen admirers of Rice with manager Thomas Tuchel going as far as calling the 24-year-old to explain how he is the perfect midfielder for their project.
Despite their eagerness to bring Rice to Allianz Arena, the Gunners still currently lead the summer race to acquire his services with Manchester United also trailing behind. Following West Ham's historic Europa Conference League triumph on Wednesday evening, the love Rice has for the club was clear to see as he broke into tears after the final whistle.
While a move to a bigger club is on the table, no one could begrudge Rice if he made the decision to fulfil the Hammers supporters' wish and stay for one more year. However, club chairman David Sullivan has practically confirmed an imminent sale this summer is likely.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "I think it has to be [Rice's final game for West Ham]. 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."
Bayern and Man United, despite being behind Arsenal, are still in the transfer race for Rice, but a significant decision has been made by the German giants which hints they are condemned to losing out on the England international.
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According to German journalist Philipp Kessler, Bayern are looking at Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat, who faced up against Rice in the Conference League final, as a potential transfer alternative to the West Ham captain with Man United also interested along with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Bayern's drastic board room changes, which saw CEO Oliver Kahn and director Hasan Salihamidzic dismissed right right after their dramatic Bundesliga title triumph, could subsequently impact transfer plans.
Tuchel is said to already be feeling the effects of this as he expected transfers to be sorted quickly, whereas meetings that have thus far taken place regarding recruitment have only seen ideas and profiles discussed, as per Bild's Tobi Altschaffl.
Rice is a priority for Bayern but some reluctance on their part could hand the initiative over to Arsenal to get the deal over the line quickly into the summer window and avoid a bidding war.
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