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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

David Moyes: West Ham transfer plans on hold until Arsenal sign Declan Rice

West Ham boss David Moyes has admitted the club cannot buy a like-for-like replacement for captain Declan Rice.

Rice is closing in on a move to Arsenal this weekend and is set to join the Gunners as part of a deal worth £105million.

The Hammers will use the money to reinvest in the squad and are interested in a number of players, including Bristol City youngster Alex Scott, Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Southampton captain Jamies Ward-Prowse.

"I don't think we can replace Declan exactly like for like, that's for sure," said Moyes. "But we'll add to the squad as time goes on. We won't be giving you any names or any thoughts on what we're going to do.

(Instagram/Declan Rice)

"Until it's done, we can't plan anything, really, so we'll wait and see what happens. Everybody knows the situation. We're expecting something to happen, but I think you were saying it was done two weeks ago and it's still not done."

West Ham are currently in Australia for their pre-season tour and take on Perth Glory tomorrow.

The Hammers have taken a fairly young squad, with those players involved in international games last month not part of the travelling party.

West Ham are gearing up for a big season, as they are back in the Europa League after winning the Europa Conference League.

The win over Fiorentina last month ended West Ham's 43-year wait for a trophy, but Moyes is now trying to look forward rather than backwards.

"We're still buzzing and we're still dancing after winning the Conference League Final," said the Scot.

"But we've moved on as well and are getting ourselves ready for the next round of games coming up. But we still have fantastic memories that won't fade too quickly."

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