Jack Wilshere hopes ‘special’ West Ham skipper Declan Rice ‘does come’ to Arsenal

Jack Wilshere is keen to see Declan Rice move from West Ham to Arsenal – and believes the England midfielder could become Gunner captain in the future.

Rice’s future is likely to be one of the stories of the summer, with a number of elite European clubs raving about his services.

In addition to Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester United would also keep a close eye on his situation.

And West Ham chairman David Sullivan admitted the player may have played his last game in winning the Europa Conference League trophy with the Hammers, beating Fiorentina 2-1 on Wednesday night in Prague.

Wilshere – who briefly played for the Hammers from 2018-20 – insisted Rice is a ‘special’ player who should make the move to North London in place of one of his other suitors.

The English midfielder is courted by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich

I saw his [post Europa Conference League] interview, I think he made it clear that he knows there is speculation, and everyone knows Arsenal are interested,” he told AFTV.

Listen, what Dec has done for a young player, for his club West Ham, for England, to lift a trophy. But he’s also their main man, to have that on your shoulders at 23, 24 is special.‌

“So if anyone gets a hold of him I hope it’s Arsenal because I think he’s going to be sensational for the next eight to 10 years and eventually he could become Arsenal captain. So I hope he comes, but it’s up to him.’

Mail Sport have already revealed that Arsenal are looking to secure a £90 million deal for the 24-year-old English star quickly this summer.

The midfield is considered a priority area in their summer recruiting plans as the Gunners look to regroup after their disappointing end to the season.

More emphasis is believed to be being placed in the middle of the park, with Granit Xhaka looking to end his long association with the club with a move to the Bundesliga.

Mail Sport also revealed that the Hammers want to pay the guaranteed portion of Rice’s transfer fee by next summer.

The consensus at West Ham seems the player is about to leave, with Sullivan admitting the club had ‘promised’ Rice that he could move on.

Rice guided West Ham to their first European trophy since 1965 by beating Fiorentina 2-1

Mikel Arteta (left) and Thomas Tuchel (right) are both eager to sign the England midfielder

v Busy talkSPORT on Thursday, Sullivan said, “I think it has to be [his last game]. We promised him he could go. He put his heart on the road.

“You can’t ask for a man who has put in more effort for us this season. In time, he has to step in and we have to find a replacement – ​​or several replacements.

“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.

“It cost him £10 million to stay at West Ham during that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.’