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Declan Rice to Arsenal transfer 'done' as West Ham ace makes feeling clear on Gunners move
Arsenal have reportedly already convinced Declan Rice to join them from West Ham.
Arsenal's move to sign Declan Rice is already 'done' and has been for a while, according to reports. It is claimed the West Ham star has only ever wanted to join the Gunners this summer.
'It's a waste of time if he goes to Arsenal' — West Ham fans on Declan Rice
Rice has a year remaining on his West Ham contract, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months. But it appears he has played his final game for the club.
The England star led the Hammers to their first trophy in 43 years on Wednesday, lifting the Europa Conference League after a 2-1 win over Fiorentina. Rice was non-committal when asked about his future after the match.
However, West Ham chairman David Sullivan has since admitted that Rice will be leaving this summer. Arsenal have been strongly linked with the 24-year-old since the turn of the year and have been optimistic about completing a deal for the £100million-rated star.
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And the latest reports suggest they have got their man. A source close to Sullivan has spoken to German outlet Ran.
The source claims that Rice made it clear to Sullivan a while ago that he would only join Arsenal if he left. It is also claimed that a deal is already done for Rice to make the move across London.
Bayern Munich and Manchester United have also been interested in signing Rice. But it appears Arsenal have won the race to his signature.
Rice was the top target for Arsenal heading into the summer window. The Gunners held off from making an official bid until after last Wednesday's match in Prague.
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With Granit Xhaka set to return to Germany to join Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needs to recruit in midfield. Brighton star Moises Caicedo is also a target for the Premier League runners-up after initial interest in January.
Sullivan made it clear on Thursday that West Ham would not be standing in the way of Rice's desire to leave. Asked if he's played his final game for the club, he told talkSPORT: "I think it has to be. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
"It's not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
"It's cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can't keep a player who doesn't want to be there."