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Top Arsenal target ‘tells friends’ his transfer decision and Gunners are ‘happy to sell’ £30m defender
According to reports, Arsenal top target Declan Rice has ‘told friends’ that he has ‘played his last league game’ for West Ham United.
The England international has been one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons.
He was vital for West Ham as they qualified for Europe in back-to-back years up until the end of last season.
The Hammers have slumped into the bottom half of the Premier League this season, but Rice has helped them secure safety and reach the final of the Europa Conference League.
They face Serie A outfit Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League on June 7 and this is likely to be Rice’s last game for West Ham.
The centre-midfielder has openly admitted that he wants to play in the Champions League and he is being linked with several clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United.
Football Insider are reporting that ‘Rice has played his last West Ham league match’.
His ‘representatives have been busy laying the groundwork for a box-office transfer to one of the Premier League’s elite clubs’. The report adds.
‘Despite interest from overseas, including from Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, Rice wants to stay in the English top flight and preferably in London.
‘Arsenal are in pole position to land the midfielder, but there is competition from Chelsea and both Manchester clubs.’
Rice could cost as much as £100m this summer and they will be looking to sell players to fund moves for their own targets.
Kieran Tierney is one squad who could move on as he has slipped down the pecking order this season. Mikel Arteta has often preferred to use Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back when he’s had a fully fit squad to choose from.
Another report from Football Insider claims ‘Tierney is set to make a final decision on his future in the coming weeks with Newcastle United ready to sign the full-back’.
A ‘well-placed Gunners source’ believes the Premier League they are ‘happy to sell’ the defender this summer.
The Magpies are ‘long-term admirers’ of the Scotsman and they are ‘pushing’ to recruit him ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Tierney is under contract until 2026 and Arsenal ‘value him at £30m as they plot big-money summer business of their own’.
Pundit Frank McAvennie thinks Tierney “could become world class” if he completes a move to Newcastle.
“If you want a left-back Tierney is the best. I think Eddie Howe likes his defenders to defend so Tierney would be ideal for Newcastle,” McAvennie told Football Insider.
“I keep in touch with him and follow his career and I really want him to do well. For me Tierney is a step up on what Newcastle have got, he could be world class if he gets a run of games.“
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