Declan Rice made friends with Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka at Arsenal after joining the England camp this week, as rumors of a £90 million summer transfer to the Gunners are rampant.
One of the most hotly debated topics of the transfer window thus far has been the future of the West Ham player, with Arsenal the front-runners to land his desired signature and planning to hold negotiations this week.
After leading the squad to victory in the UEFA Conference League, Chairman David Sullivan even acknowledged that the player had possibly played his best. However, this week, Rice insisted he was "going nowhere" when a fan inquired about his future.
Although Rice reignited rumors of a transfer after being seen cuddling with two prominent Arsenal players at St. George's Park before of England's next friendlies against North Macedonia and Malta.
The 24-year-old, who had just seen joyous celebrations and an open-top bus parade following West
After hugging Arsenal goalie Ramsdale, he was seen pointing out forward Saka in a different area of the room.
Later, as athletes started practicing on the field, Rice was observed jokingly eluding Saka as the latter attempted to catch his coveted international teammate during a shooting practice.
Fans of the team will be ecstatic to see Rice team up with the two Arsenal players next season after noticing how at ease and at easy he appears to be with them.
However, West Ham has reason to believe that he might end up sticking put after the player himself shot down rumors of leaving.
During a popular social media video, Rice was seen relaxing outside with a
Rice responded when asked which team he intended to join: "Nowhere, I'm West Ham." He refused to choose a team to join, stating that West Ham was his choice.
It appears that the footage was shot on Saturday.
Rice may quit, club chairman Sullivan announced following West Ham's victory over Fiorentina, which saw them win their first European championship since 1965.
It happened after Mail Sport reported that, despite competition from United and German champions Bayern, Arsenal wants to quickly close a £90 million deal.
I think it has to be [his final game for the club], Sullivan remarked on talkSPORT. We assured him he could leave. He made up his mind to go.
You cannot request a man who has
We do not want this to take place. We made him a weekly offer of £200,000 18 months ago. He declined it.
His continued employment at West Ham during that time has cost him $10 million in lost pay. He desires to leave. A player who doesn't want to be there can't be kept.
It is believed that Rice desires to remain in England rather than move abroad and that Arsenal has been leading the race to sign him.
Sullivan continued, "I believe the offers will start to come today." There are three or four clubs who have expressed interest, but out of respect for West Ham, you don't make bids for players when we're still competing.
"That's not how decent clubs operate," someone said.
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