Bayern pull out in race for Rice

Bayern Munich have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice this summer.

Rice successfully led West Ham to Europa Conference League glory earlier this month – the club’s first European silverware for 58 years – and he has been an integral member of David Moyes s first-team squad, contributing with five goals and three assists in 50 games across all competitions in 2022-23.

The England international has spent his entire professional career with the Hammers and has made a total of 245 appearances since his debut in 2017, but the midfielder is set to seek pastures new this summer and fulfil his dream of playing Champions League football.

As reported frequently on CandH, Arsenal have been regarded as the frontrunners to sign Rice for some time, but Bayern Munich were also thought to be in the race for his signature, with head coach Thomas Tuchel said to be an admirer of the midfielder.

However, the Daily Mail has reported that the Bundesliga champions have decided to step away from making a big-money proposal to sign Rice as they expect the Englishman to join Arsenal.

The report adds that Bayern are aware that Rice’s preference is to remain in the Premier League and link up with Mikel Arteta in North London.

Arsenal are understood to have stepped up their pursuit of the midfielder since West Ham‘s European triumph, and there are reports  they are close to reaching an agreement over a fee which could eventually rise to a club-record £100m.

Bayern are now said to have shifted their focus onto recruiting a new centre-forward having yet replaced Robert Lewandowski following his departure to Barcelona last summer.

It remains to be seen whether Bayern will ramp up their interest in Spurs striker Harry Kane, who is appears to be unlikely to join Manchester United.