Rice, who has been named West Ham's Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons, has established himself as a key player for the club since his debut in 2017. With 15 goals and 13 assists in 244 games across all competitions, the midfielder has made a significant impact. However, his contract is set to expire at the end of the next season, and he aspires to play for a club competing in the Champions League.
Arsenal has been heavily linked with Rice in recent months, with manager Mikel Arteta reportedly identifying him as the primary midfield target for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign. Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke is said to have given the green light for a club-record move to sign Rice, who is valued by West Ham at £100m.
Other clubs, including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea, have also shown interest in Rice. Bayern Munich has recently intensified their pursuit of the midfielder, with head coach Thomas Tuchel reportedly engaging in discussions about a potential move to the Bundesliga champions. Bayern is believed to be willing to offer around £95m in the upcoming transfer window.
Tuchel, previously at Chelsea, has long admired Rice and considers him the ideal player to operate as a No. 6, enabling Joshua Kimmich to play in a more advanced position. However, Bayern's pursuit of Rice has suffered a setback, as The Mail reports that the midfielder will reject the opportunity to join the German giants in favor of continuing his career with a Premier League club. The report also highlights Rice's comfort and settlement in London, which significantly boosts Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to secure his signature.
It is expected that Arsenal will submit their initial offer for Rice after he captains West Ham in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina on June 7. Arsenal may view Rice as a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka, who is reportedly nearing a permanent move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for a fee around £13m.
