Arsenal to miss out on Declan Rice as Bayern Munich deal 'close' in rapid transfer turn

Arsenal could miss out on Declan Rice as Bayern Munich are reportedly closing in on a surprise move to snatch the West Ham captain from under their noses.

Posted Sunday, June 04, 2023 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal are facing the agony of missing out on one of Mikel Arteta's top targets after it emerged that Declan Rice is closing in on a potential summer transfer to Bayern Munich. The West Ham captain was always expected to leave the London Stadium having turned down a contract, with interest from the Premier League's top clubs, but it seems the midfielder is set to snub the chance to stay in England by joining the German champions.

The England international had been valued at around £100m by his club despite having only a year left to run on his contract. Rice has refused offers to extend his current deal and is poised to depart as the Hammers cash in on their midfielder.

Rice has been heavily linked with a summer transfer to the Emirates Stadium as Arteta wants to sign a new centre midfielder to replace the departing Granit Xhaka.

But according to transfer expert Jose Felix Diaz, Rice's move to the Allianz Arena is now 'close' as the 24-year-old looks set to make a surprise move to join Thomas Tuchel's side in Germany.

Declan Rice: The West Ham captain looks set to join Bayern Munich.

Rice's representatives reportedly met Bayern chiefs in London to discuss a move on Friday and the midfielder was 'given the feeling' that he could 'imagine' signing for the Bavarian outfit.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg claims the meeting was 'positive' and that Bayern were preparing their next move with an official offer to West Ham. There is no confirmation yet that the east London club have received a bid, but Bayern are ready to step up their pursuit.

Tuchel, who was sacked by Chelsea in September, tried to sign the midfielder during his time with the Blues only for West Ham to resist their advances. And the German coach is said to be driving the deal after taking over from Julian Nagelsmann in March.

West Ham can no longer fight off teams playing in the Champions League as Rice eyes a move to a bigger club, and they would almost certainly prefer to sell him to a foreign club rather than face him in the Premier League next season.

It could throw a spanner in the works for Arteta, who may now have to focus on alternative midfield targets. The north London side tried to sign Moises Caicedo in January but Brighton rejected all three bids for the Ecuadorian.

Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi could be another backup option given that the Spaniard had a release clause of £51m written into his contract.

But missing out on Rice, arguably one of the most consistent players in the Premier League, would represent a blow for Arsenal in their efforts to bolster their squad this summer.