West Ham transfer news

AS JOB interviews go, this probably wasn’t what Declan Rice had envisaged.The West Ham captain had thundered into Arsenal dangerman Gabriel Jesus right from the kick-off as he looked to make an immediate impression on the League leaders.
Declan Rice starred for West Ham against ArsenalCredit: Reuters
But for the next half hour that was close as he got to any of his opponents as the visitors strolled into a two-goal lead while barely breaking sweat.
Rice was doing his best to plug all the holes in his team but it was impossible for him to be in four places at once.
Arsenal were simply bypassing him in a blur of first time passes and when Martin Odegaard drifted in unchallenged to volley Arsenal’s second goal, he looked as though his head was going to explode.
Every time he managed to get on the ball he found himself looking in vain for options and team-mates showing for a pass.  
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But there is a reason that Arsenal are leading the race to sign the 24-year-old England international in the summer.
And after chasing shadows for most of an embarrassingly one-sided first-half, Rice stepped up to show just why so many teams are so eager to buy him.
When Thomas Partey dawdled in possession deep inside his own half, Rice didn’t need to think twice before pouncing.
Arsenal claimed the ball had ricocheted off his arm before he played in Lucas Paqueta to win the 33rd minute penalty which kickstarted the West Ham fightback.
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But VAR didn’t agree and when Said Benrahma sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way from the spot suddenly it was a completely different match.
And no-one impressed more than Rice as he constantly broke up play and made sure his team continued to play on the front foot.
But it was his ability to keep a cool head when all about him were losing theirs which would have most impressed Mikel Arteta. 
As the Arsenal boss watched his team implode for the second week, how he could have done with Rice’s calm authority in the middle or the pitch to calm their nerves.
Hammers boss David Moyes has regularly stated that it will take a British record transfer fee to prise his midfield diamond away this summer.
But Rice has already stated his ambition to play in the Champions League sooner rather than later.
And, let’s be honest,  that’s not going to happen at West Ham in a month of Super Sundays.
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And though he still has another two years to run on his contract at the London Stadium, everyone at the club is already resigned to him leaving this summer.
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The best West Ham fans can hope for is that Rice will help to keep them in the Premier League and maybe lift the Europa Conference League trophy before packing his bags for somewhere in the region of £100million.
And while he might have done his best to damage Arsenal’s title chances, they are still going to be playing in Europe’s top competition next season and look a perfect fit to take Rice’s career to the next level. More

ARSENAL’S title hopes took a dent after a 2-2 draw at West Ham. Gabriel Jesus got Mikel Arteta’s outfit off to the perfect start by opening the scoring after seven minutes.
Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss summed up a frustrating afternoon for ArsenalCredit: Getty
West Ham took a major step towards safetyCredit: PA
And it appeared to be a game where Arsenal might blow away the Hammers when Martin Odegaard converted a crisp volley to make it 2-0 after just ten minutes.
However, things began to turn sour when Thomas Partey had the ball robbed off of him by Declan Rice, leading to the penalty with Said Benrahma duly converted.
Bukayo Saka, ever so reliable from 12 yards this season, then missed a penalty shortly after the break before Jarrod Bowen volleyed past Aaron Ramsdale.
The result leaves Arsenal with a lead over Manchester City of just four points.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners.
Aaron Ramsdale – 6
Unfortunately dived the wrong way for the penalty before tipping over a potentially dangerous header later on.
Could have done better with Jarrod Bowen’s volleyed equaliser shortly after the break.
Ben White – 7
Got an assist with the opener thanks to a perfectly weighted pass across the goal.
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Failed to get out quickly enough with to hold an offside trap when Bowen fired home the equaliser.
Rob Holding – 5
Caught out in behind a couple of times when isolated against Michail Antonio. Struggled in the physical battle against the West Ham star all game.
Like White, guilty of failing to get up quickly enough when Bowen ran in behind for his equaliser.
Rob Holding had a torrid time against Michail AntonioCredit: Reuters
Gabriel – 6
Gave away a foul on Lucas Paqueta for Benrahma’s penalty.
Covered Holding well when Antonio looked to have an advantage, though like Holding had a tough time when isolated against Antonio one on one.
Kieran Tierney – 7
Replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko in the line up and was solid throughout.
Failed to track Bowen on the equaliser. Subbed off after 85 minutes as Arsenal went for the win.
Thomas Partey – 6
Thomas Partey was guilty of being robbed by Declan Rice before Said Benrahma’s penaltyCredit: Getty
Slipped in White when he set up the opener. Always available for as a passing option but left far from his best when it came to his more defensive duties.
Gave the ball away to Declan Rice in the build up to the penalty and received a yellow card for a cynical foul shortly after. Subbed off after 66 minutes.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Not afraid to get down and dirty against West Ham.
Gritty performance but was unable to lift up the rest of below par midfield.
Martin Odegaard – 6
Scored a crisp volley but went quiet soon after.
Far from his creative best and subbed off after 90 minutes.
Bukayo Saka – 5
Missed from 12 yards just before Bowen’s equaliser. Started brightly but faded, culminating in the penalty miss.
Wasted a great chance by going alone when three on two on a counter-attack in the 70th minute.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Beautiful cross to set up Odegaard’s volley, but like his captain went quiet for much of the rest.
Subbed off after 85 minutes.
Gabriel Jesus – 8
Gabriel Jesus put in a fine display was but able to do nothing to stop the Gunners collapseCredit: Rex
Scored an early goal to try settle any Arsenal nerves. Appeared to work a treat as the Gunners scored a swift second before the team’s defensive collapse.
Led the line well and produced some brilliant touches in a role more similar to a false nine. Subbed after 66 minutes.
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard (on for Jesus 66mins) – 7
Once again a lively performance off the bench but couldn’t offer a big enough spark for the rest of the Gunner’s misfiring attack.
Jorginho (on for Partey 66mins) – 6
Gave the Gunners a more secure passing option than Partey had offered prior to him.
Reiss Nelson (On for Martinelli 85mins) – 6
Few decent touches but not really enough time to make mark.
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Fabio Vieira (On for Tierney 85mins) – 5
Offered little after coming on. Like Nelson too little time for impact.
Eddie Nketiah (on for Odegaard) – N/A
Not enough time to make mark. More

EDDIE NKETIAH has returned to Arsenal training and could be available for Sunday’s trip to West Ham.The 23-year-old striker has missed his team’s last seven games after suffering a late ankle injury during last month’s 4-0 win against Everton.
Eddie Nketiah is back in training for ArsenalCredit: Getty
William Saliba is still sidelined with a back injuryCredit: AFP
But now he is back in full training, and his return is a boost for manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the remaining eight games.
Nketiah has scored nine goals this season, including six while deputising for the injured Gabriel Jesus after the World Cup.
Jesus is starting to motor, scoring in his last two Prem matches, but Nketiah’s return will give Arsenal plenty of attacking options as they look to maintain their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
But there is still no sign of defender William Saliba, who has missed Arsenal’s last three games with a back injury.
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The French international centre-half was sorely missed during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
The Gunners surrendered a two-goal lead and allowed Manchester City to close the gap at the top of the table.
Now Arteta is desperate to have Saliba back in action in time for the potential title decider at the Etihad on April 26.
The Frenchman’s partnership with Gabriel has been key to Arsenal’s Prem crown challenge.
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But after three weeks out of training, it is highly unlikely that he will be available for Sunday’s game against struggling West Ham.
The Hammers face Genk in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday evening. More

WEST HAM have reportedly identified their midfield targets for the summer as they look to replace the departing Declan Rice.The Hammers look resigned to the fact they will lose their captain in the summer with Arsenal currently said to be leading the race for the England star’s signature.
Conor Gallagher has been unable to recreate his lightning form from Crystal Palace this season at Chelsea
Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice often play together at the heart of Gareth Southgate’s England midfield
David Moyes’ side will need to find a fitting replacement for Rice who has been vitally important to the club since bursting onto the scene.
The Evening Standard have reported that the East London club are interested in two names to fill the spot vacated by Rice.
They are said to be looking at bringing in Kalvin Phillips and Conor Gallagher in order to bolster their midfield.
West Ham had a £50million bid rejected for Phillips in January 2022 before he made the move to Manchester City, but with his playing time limited at the Etihad a move could be more likely this time round.
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Gallagher has been of interest to multiple Premier League clubs after falling out of favour at Chelsea following his spectacular loan spell with Crystal Palace last season.
West Ham will have to fend off the likes of Liverpool who are also rumoured to be interested in signing the Chelsea midfielder this summer.
Reports suggest it is extremely likely Rice will depart the London Stadium this summer after 10 years with the club from youth level to becoming club captain.
Arsenal are leading the charge for his signature, but it won’t be easy to secure his services with Chelsea and Manchester United said to be interested too.
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This hasn’t stopped Gunners’ fans from being confident they will see Rice lining up at the Emirates next season after analysing his interactions with Bukayo Saka during the most recent England camp.
The 24-year-old midfielder still has to focus on West Ham for now as they battle to stay in the Premier League after a shocking campaign that sees them just three points off the drop. More