West Ham captain Declan Rice has been urged to snub Manchester United and complete a move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window. football.london understands that Rice is a priority for the Gunners in the upcoming transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks to revamp his midfield ranks.
Arsenal and West Ham remain apart in their valuation of the England international at this stage though, with the north London outfit hoping to secure a deal for roughly £90million - whilst the Hammers value Rice at over £100million. Manchester United and Bayern Munich are prepared to compete with the Gunners for Rice's signature this summer as they all look to bolster bring in midfield reinforcements.
United are ready to back manager Erik ten Hag in the transfer market with Rice and Chelsea's Mason Mount being touted as priorities for the summer transfer window. Mount's situation at Stamford Bridge is being monitored by Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of a return to the Champions League.
Despite United's interest in Rice, the Gunners have been the favourites to sign the Hammers' midfielder for several months now. Ally McCoist believes the Emirates Stadium would be the best fit for the midfielder over a switch to Old Trafford - because of Manchester City.
“It’s a funny one," McCoist said on talkSPORT. "Over the weekend and over the season, if I’m Declan Rice and I’m weighing up my options, I am thinking I’d probably rather go to Arsenal than Manchester United.
"I look at Manchester United over the weekend, and I know they’ve won the League Cup, but they look as though they’re four or five players behind Manchester City. I still think Arsenal are well behind Manchester City, but I think they’ve got the potential to get nearer to them quicker."
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David Moyes is resigned to the fact that Rice will leave the London Stadium this summer for a club fighting higher up in the table and featuring in the Champions League. "We honestly hope he stays," Moyes said recently.
"We'd love for him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season. So that's one of the scenarios around planning.
"There are plans that we have Dec here but we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him," Moyes added. Rice has already expressed a desire to play for a team that challenges for titles and competes in the Champions League - and the West Ham captain may get his wish this summer.
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