Bayern Munich ‘identify Sofyan Amrabat as Declan Rice alternative’ as the race for the £90m-rated West Ham midfielder heats up after David Sullivan confirmed his imminent departure
- Sullivan admitted that he promised Rice he could move on this summer
- Rice came up against Fiorentina’s Amrabat in the Conference League final
- Bayern are keen to sign a midfielder even if Rice decides against joining
Morocco World Cup hero Sofyan Amrabat is emerging as an alternative to Declan Rice for Bayern Munich this summer, according to a report.
Bayern have reportedly made Rice one of their main summer transfer targets with the midfielder set to leave West Ham, but he’s not short of options and may end up heading elsewhere.
Arsenal are one of the clubs also in the race, with a £90million bid from the Premier League runners up expected soon.
Rice is said to have held talks with Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel in recent weeks over a potential move but is yet to decide his next destination.
According to Sky Sport Germany, Bayern are keeping tabs on Amrabat incase a move for the England man falls through, with the German champions keen to sign a midfielder even if Rice doesn’t join.
Bayern Munich have reportedly identified Sofyan Amrabat as an alternative to Declan Rice
Rice has been linked with a move to Bayern but there are a host of clubs interested in signing him
Amrabat’s last played for Fiorentina in the Conference League final against Rice’s West Ham
Amrabat caught the world’s attention with some impressive performances at the Qatar World Cup as Morocco came fourth in the tournament.
He’s attracting interest from some of Europe’s top sides, having too impressed with Fiorentina.
The 26-year-old’s last game for the Italian side was Wednesday’s Conference League final, in which he and his team lost out to Rice’s West Ham.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has already confirmed the club’s intentions to allow Rice to move on this summer, telling TalkSport: ‘I think it has to be [his last game]. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
‘You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.
‘It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan (right) has already admitted that Rice will leave West Ham
Rice has reportedly held talks with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel over the phone
‘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.’
Arsenal have been leading the chase for Rice’s signature and it is thought he prefers to stay in England rather than move abroad.
‘I think the offers will start to come today,’ Sullivan added. ‘There are three or four clubs who have shown interest, but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.
‘That’s not the way decent clubs do things.’
