Declan Rice could be set to play his final game for West Ham tonight as the east London outfit prepare for the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina. The England international has expressed a desire to play for a team challenging for titles and competing in the Champions League.
Rice has rejected approaches from the Hammers regarding signing a new contract at the London Stadium as he enters the final 12 months of his current deal. football.london revealed in January that the Gunners are prioritising a move for the 24-year-old in the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield options.
Arsenal value Rice at around £90million with reports suggesting Arteta wants to hold face-to-face talks with the English midfielder after West Ham's final against Fiorentina. The Hammers value Rice over £100million leaving the two London teams quite far apart with negotiations expected to begin this month.
Despite interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich - the 24-year-old is understood to be settled in London which may give Arsenal a strong advantage over their rivals for his signature. Chelsea remain interested in signing Rice but their lack of European football next season has seen them lose ground in the race to sign the Hammers star.
Tonight's Europa Conference League final is expected to be the last for Rice in a West Ham shirt – with Arsenal leading the race for his signature. The £100million rated midfielder has spoken with the air of a man determined to go out on a high as he looks to cement himself in the club's history books.
“It's a chance to go out and create a legacy where every single player, the manager, everyone involved, will be remembered forever,” Rice said ahead of the final. “To win a trophy like this, a European trophy, with West Ham, I think it puts every player at a higher status within the club and, in terms of with the fans, how you’ll be remembered.
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"I think it would just mean everything, to be honest. Just to lift that trophy, especially to be with the lads as well – our group of boys are such good people," he added. Arsenal will be hoping they can secure Rice's signature this summer off the back of him winning a trophy to help bring that experience into a young squad at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side came close to winning their first Premier League title since 2004 last season but missed out to Manchester City. The Spaniard will be aiming to continue the upwards trajectory at Arsenal and strengthen the spine of his squad with departures expected this summer.
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