WEST HAM are resigned to the fact that Declan Rice has set his heart on a move to Arsenal.
And plans to start a bidding war with Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are likely to be shelved by the Europa Conference League winners.
Hammers boss David Moyes is understood to prefer a deal with Chelsea involving Conor Gallagher in part-exchange.
But Rice has made it clear that he is not interested in a return to the club who released him at the age of 14.
German champions Bayern have already dropped their pursuit of the 24-year-old England star after being told Rice wants to remain in the Premier League.
And Manchester United are reluctant to spend huge money on another holding midfielder after buying £60million Casemiro last summer.
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That has left the way clear for Arsenal to complete their priority signing of the summer and negotiations with West Ham are now at an advanced stage.
The Gunners are looking to pay a club record £90m for Rice, while the Hammers value him at £110m.
It is expected that the two clubs will agree on a £100m compromise, with the potential for a further £10m in bonus payments and add-ons.
No formal bid has yet been made by Arsenal, who were unhappy at the way their January moves for Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo played out when a series of offers were publicly rejected.
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They prefer to remain in confidential talks with West Ham until a fee and terms of payment can be agreed and are confident of securing the player’s signature in the next few weeks.
Rice is on England duty but will be on standby to confirm personal terms and undergo a medical from next week.
He believes he fits perfectly into Mikel Arteta’s policy of building a team around hungry young players who can grow together for the next five or six years.
And the opportunity to play Champions League football is another huge incentive for the midfielder, who has been told he can leave West Ham after rejecting a new £200,000-a-week contract.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
