Arsenal are reportedly preparing to make an offer for West Ham United captain Declan Rice during this summer's transfer window.
The 23-year-old stayed with the Hammers last summer despite the speculation surrounding his future, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all believed to be keen on his signature.
Rice is widely expected to move on in 2023, though, especially with David Moyes's side currently struggling towards the bottom of the Premier League table.
While away with England at the 2022 World Cup, the midfielder suggested that he wants to leave West Ham in the near future in order to challenge for major trophies.
"One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League," Rice told reporters in Qatar. "For the last two or three years I've been saying that.
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"I've been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies.
"You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you've won and the biggest games you've played in. I really want to do that."
According to Fichajes, Arsenal have emerged as genuine contenders for Rice, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta pushing for the club to complete his signature during this summer's transfer window.
The report claims that West Ham value the midfielder at €100m (£88m), which is a significant drop on the £150m that clubs were allegedly quoted last summer.
West Ham have the option to add another year on Rice's deal, which would take him until June 2025, but the player is widely expected to push for an exit at the end of this season.
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Rice has again been a vital player for the Hammers during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring one goal and registering two assists in 23 appearances in all competitions.
The midfielder has made 218 appearances for the London club in total since his debut in 2017, meanwhile, with the England international arriving from Chelsea's academy.
Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in Rice, but it is believed that he wants to remain in the Premier League.
The midfielder's future could be directly related to what happens with Jude Bellingham, as his England teammate is likely to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, and the same clubs are believed to be interested in his signature.
Rice played the full 90 minutes of West Ham's 2-2 draw with Leeds United in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
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Matt Law
