Getting to know your new team-mates, Dec? West Ham star Rice embraces with Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale after arriving for England duty as the Gunners look to seal £90m deal for the midfielder
Declan Rice cozied up to Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale after arriving at England camp this week as speculation ramps up about a £90million summer move to the Gunners.
The West Ham star’s future has been one of the biggest talking points of the transfer window so far – with Arsenal the front-runners to seal his coveted signature and planning to hold talks this week.
Chairman David Sullivan even admitted that the player had likely played his game after helping the team to UEFA Conference League glory – but the saga took an unexpected turn this week when Rice insisted he was ‘going nowhere’ when asked by a fan.
Though Rice began fanning the flames again about a possible move after being spotted embracing with two high-profile Arsenal stars at St Georges’ Park ahead of England’s upcoming friendlies against Malta and North Macedonia.
The 24-year-old – coming off jubilant celebrations and a open-top bus parade after West Ham’s famous triumph against Fiorentina in Prague – looked in high spirits as he entered the canteen at England’s training ground.
Declan Rice was seen embracing Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after arriving at England camp as speculation continues to link him with the Gunners
Rice was also pictured greeting Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka after arriving in the canteen
He was seen giving a hug to Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale before picking out Gunners forward Saka in another part of the room.
Later on when players began training on the pitch, Rice was seen playfully running away from Saka – who tried to catch his in-demand international team-mate during a shooting drill.
Rice looking so comfortable and at ease with the two Arsenal men will have the club’s fans in an excitable mood and dreaming of seeing the three link up in red and white colours next season.
But there is hope for West Ham that he could end up staying put after the player himself shot down talk of an exit.
In a viral social media clip, which saw Rice sat down outside with a young fan, he hinted he would reject a summer move after being quizzed on his next move.
Saka and Rice enjoyed a playful encounter as the winger attempted to catch the midfielder
The West Ham man’s future is one of the biggest talking points of the transfer window after he helped the club win the UEFA Conference League
Asked which club he is going to join, Rice replied: ‘Nowhere, I’m West Ham.’ When asked to pick a side to join, he said: ‘Nah, I don’t, West Ham’s my one.’
The video clip was apparently filmed on Saturday.
In the wake of West Ham’s win over Fiorentina – which saw them lift their first European trophy since 1965, club chairman Sullivan confirmed Rice could leave.
It came after Mail Sport revealed Arsenal want to swiftly wrap up a £90m deal amid competition from United and German champions Bayern.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Sullivan said: ‘I think it has to be [his last game for the club]. 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.
Rice was filmed telling a young fan he’s going ‘nowhere’ this summer amid links to Arsenal, Man United and Bayern Munich
West Ham chief David Sullivan (right) revealed that Rice had turned down a new deal at the London Stadium just 18 months ago and said the midfielder would be allowed to leave
‘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.’
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.’
Rice had initially declined to talk about his potential summer move immediately after the final.
‘It’s flattering to be wanted by a lot of clubs but the badge on my chest tonight is West Ham,’ said Rice.
‘I’ve got two years left on my contract and ultimately it’s up to the people above. Until the day I walk out of this club I’ll give absolutely everything and I’ll wear my heart on my sleeve for this badge.’