Having starred for West Ham and England over recent seasons, it is no surprise to see Declan Rice linked with a move to teams battling at the top of the table.
Arsenal have reportedly become the latest to make him their top target, as they seek to boost their midfield options. Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have all previously been linked with a move for the England international, though it will take a hefty fee to buy him.
His contract at West Ham expires next summer, but the Hammers are adamant on getting as high a fee for their captain as they possibly can. Here, Mirror Football looks at Rice's situation and where the midfielder may end up in the summer.
Rice's dream
The latest round of rumours about Rice's future began back in the World Cup, when the midfielder hinted he was ready to leave West Ham. The 24-year-old insisted he was keen to play in the biggest games of the Champions League and start winning trophies.
“One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that. I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing," he said.
"I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies. You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Declan Rice join if he leaves West Ham in the summer? Comment below.
West Ham's 'big fight'
While Rice may be keen to move on from the London Stadium and step up a level, West Ham will not make it easy. Last summer David Moyes slapped a £100m asking price on Rice's head and early this month, he vowed to put up a fight to keep his star player.
“He wants to win and he wants to play for a really good side, which is going to give him that opportunity to do so. We are not just going to roll over and let Dec walk out of the building, that is for sure. It is going to be a big fight," he said.
“I like it because he wants to challenge himself and wants to play in the big games and wants to be a top player. I don’t think you are ever going to hold anyone back from having those ambitions.”
While Moyes is adamant that Rice will not be allowed to leave easily, incoming sporting director Mark Noble has taken a more pragmatic approach. Rice's predecessor as captain of the Hammer admitted that they will not be able to compete should a big team swoop in.
“Whether you think things will get dicey at West Ham – and I don’t believe they will – we just can’t cope financially with the top teams. They’re financially too powerful," Noble told The Guardian in December.
"If a top club wants Declan Rice they’re just going to pay for him, full stop. You’ve seen it with Jack Grealish, with the best players. If the top boys want them, we ain’t got a chance.”
Arsenal's interest
Amid all of the intrigue about Rice's next destination, The Times reported on Monday that Arsenal had made him their top target for the summer. It was claimed that the Gunners are also 'growing in confidence' they can beat Chelsea to his signature.
With a bidding war expected to take his price to £80m, Arsenal believes they can utilise their status as Premier League leaders. Chelsea are all but out of top four contention, putting the Gunners at an advantage, with Mikel Arteta looking to sign a new midfielder.
Rice has already rejected several offers of a new contract at West Ham and is set to be sold in the summer. Arsenal are said to be wary of Chelsea gazumping them again in terms of a fee, though the choice of a next club could come down to Rice's preference.
Who he should join
With Rice's future set to be one of the main stories of the summer transfer window, plenty of pundits have had their say about who he should join. Following the reporting of Arsenal's interest, former Liverpool star Danny Murphy urged Rice to join the Gunners.
“I think that would be a huge, huge move for Arsenal. You’re not just getting a wonderful midfielder who would be there for the rest of his career maybe if they carry on, you’re also getting an English one who fans can relate to," Murphy told talkSPORT.
"They know he can do it in the Premier League. He’s going to get better and I think he’ll get more of a platform to score goals. I think that would be the perfect type for Arsenal because they are heavily reliant on Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.”
Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit also urged Rice to move to the Emirates, shooting down Chelsea's hopes amid their recent downturn in fortunes.
"I know that Chelsea wants him, but if I were Declan Rice, I wouldn’t go to Chelsea, I would go to Arsenal. The two clubs are going in different directions and the way Arsenal is playing. He would be the perfect option for Arsenal," Petit told Compare.Bet last week.
Manchester United are also still lurking, with the Red Devils also seen as a potential destination for Rice. United legend Rio Ferdinand certainly believes Old Trafford is the perfect place for him.
"It all depends on what Declan Rice wants to do with his career. If wants to do a Mark Noble and stay at one club in the Premier League – Declan Rice will be the captain for the next ten years if he wants. It’s there if he wants to do that," he told Vibe with Five in the summer.
"But I don’t think Declan Rice is Mark Noble. Declan Rice is someone who sees himself going to a bigger club, with all due respect to West Ham, and going to fight for honours in the Premier League.
"You’ve got to ask Declan Rice a question; does he leave West Ham who are basically fighting Man United for the same position? If he does go to somewhere like United, be the catalyst for the next generation, for winning stuff, and you could lead that charge."
