DECLAN RICE is “almost certain” to leave West Ham this summer and “likely” to join Arsenal, according to reports.
The England midfielder, 24, has been heavily linked with a host of Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United.
But the Hammers had hoped to convince their captain to stick around for one more season – particularly given he is under contract until 2024.
But with David Moyes’ side struggling down in 17th in the Premier League table, The Guardian are reporting West Ham have failed to convince Rice that the club are progressing.
It comes just one season on from the Irons’ seventh place finish and run to the Europa League semi-finals.
Title challengers Arsenal are understood to be the frontrunners to agree a deal for him at the end of the season.
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Rice is expected to set clubs back around £80million as he enters the final 12 months of his deal
And Mikel Arteta is keen to add more depth in central midfield.
Arsenal brought Jorginho in from Chelsea during the January window as support for Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
The move came after they failed to secure Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
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They are set to return for Ecuadorian Caicedo, 21, while also pursuing Rice.
The England man has contributed 12 goals and 13 assists in 229 games for West Ham.
And he could be enticed by a move to the Emirates, particularly if they clinch their first league title in 19 years.
Arsenal sit five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with just 11 games remaining.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
