Arsenal 'close in on £92m Declan Rice deal' as West Ham plan treble transfer

Arsenal are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign Declan Rice from West Ham in a club-record deal worth £92m. Rice has been heavily linked with leaving the Hammers throughout the season, with the midfielder rejecting several contract offers from the east London club.

West Ham had previously taken a tough stance not to let Rice leave in previous windows, but they have softened in recent weeks. And it looked like Rice was saying an emotional farewell in the Europa Conference League final with the England international leading West Ham to glory against Fiorentina.

Rice declined to give any indication of his immediate plans after the final, but the claim Arsenal are now pushing for a deal. It has been reported that Bayern Munich and Manchester United are also showing strong interest in signing Rice, but Arsenal are the "favourites".

And the report says Arsenal are 'closer' to a deal worth £92m for Rice.

West Ham have also reportedly identified the three players they want to sign using the money made from selling Rice. Harvey Barnes and James Ward-Prowse are both targets with the English duo potentially available for cut-price figures after being relegated with Leicester and Southampton respectively.

The Hammers are also hoping to win the race for Ajax star Edson Alvarez as the man they see as the ideal replacement for Rice. West Ham aren't the only ones keen to sign the defensive midfielder, with Borussia Dortmund also interested in making a move.

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Sullivan was asked on Thursday if he thinks the time has come for Rice to leave West Ham. He said, “I think it must be. We promised him that he could leave. He decided to go.

"You can't ask for a man who has been more committed to us this season. In due time he has to come up and we have to find a replacement - or more replacements. That's not something we want it to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.

"It cost him £10m to stay at West Ham during this time [losing wages]. And he wants to leave. You can't keep a player who doesn't want to be there."

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