The race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is heating up as the England international nears what is potentially his final game with the Hammers. The club captain is set to guide his team out in the Europa Conference League final in the coming week as they face Fiorentina.
After that, the transfer interest looks set to ramp up, with the 24-year-old entering the final 12-months of his contract with the Irons. football.london understands that Rice is a top priority for Arsenal this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to revamp his midfield ranks in the window.
They aren't alone, though, as Manchester United and Chelsea have shown interest alongside Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, making for plenty of competition. While some reports have claimed that the Gunners are the frontrunners, Thomas Tuchel has looked to change that dynamic.
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According to Sky Germany, Bayern held a meeting with Rice over the possibility of a switch and the outcome for them is said to be positive. While that may have opened the door for a move, the overall position following it is still something of a boost to Arsenal at this stage.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the race for Rice is still very open, suggesting that it hasn't swayed the midfielder either way and keeps Arsenal firmly in the conversation. He isn't the only one set for a move though as his best friend Mason Mount has been linked with an exit from Chelsea.
Arsenal are among those linked, though Manchester United are believed to have agreed personal terms, with the Rice recently sending him a message on social media following that news. It remains to be seen how the whole saga plays out, but the north London outfit will have to sit tight for now and wait for the European finals to pass by first.
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