Declan Rice embraces with Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale amid links to the Gunners
Getting to know your new teammates, Dec? West Ham star Rice hugs Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale after arriving for England as the Gunners look to secure a £90 million deal for the midfielder
- West Ham star Declan Rice is still linked with a £90 million transfer to Arsenal
- Rice hugged Arsenal stars Saka and Ramsdale after arriving for England
- The midfielder insisted he was ‘going nowhere’ despite doubts about the future
Declan Rice paired up with Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale after arriving in England’s camp this week as speculation flares over a summer move of around £90 million to the Gunners.
The future of the West Ham star has been one of the biggest talking points of the transfer window so far – with Arsenal leading the pack sealing its coveted signature and planning talks this week.
Chairman David Sullivan even admitted that the player had probably played his game after helping the team to UEFA Conference League victory – but the saga took an unexpected turn this week when Rice insisted he was ‘going nowhere’ when a fan asked him that.
Although Rice started fanning the flames again over a possible move after he was spotted hugging two high-profile Arsenal stars at St Georges’ Park ahead of England’s upcoming friendlies against Malta and North Macedonia.
The 24-year-old – after jubilant celebrations and a parade of open buses following West Ham’s famous triumph against Fiorentina in Prague – looked cheerful as he entered the canteen at England’s training ground.
Declan Rice was seen hugging Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after arriving at the England camp as speculation continues to link him to the Gunners
Rice was also pictured greeting Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka after arriving at the canteen
He was seen hugging Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale before singles out Gunners striker Saka in another part of the room.
Later, as players began training on the field, Rice was seen playfully running away from Saka, who was trying to catch his in-demand international teammate during target practice.
Looking so comfortable and at ease with the two Arsenal men, Rice will leave the club’s fans in an excited mood and dream of seeing the three team up in red and white colors next season.
But there is hope for West Ham that he could stay put after the player himself shot down the rumored exit.
In a viral clip on social mediaseeing Rice sitting outside with a young fan, he hinted that he would turn down a summer move after being questioned about his next move.
Saka and Rice enjoyed a playful encounter as the winger tried to catch the midfielder
The West Ham man’s future has been one of the biggest talking points of the transfer window after helping the club win the UEFA Conference League.
When asked which club he is going to, Rice replied: ‘Nowhere, I’m West Ham.’ When asked to choose a side to join, he said: ‘No I won’t, West Ham is my side.’
The music video was shot on Saturday.
In the wake of West Ham’s victory over Fiorentina – where they lifted their first European trophy since 1965 – club chairman Sullivan confirmed Rice could leave.
It came after Mail Sport revealed that Arsenal are looking to finalize a £90 million deal quickly amid competition from United and German champions Bayern.
Sullivan said on talkSPORT, “I think it has to be [his last game for the club]. 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.
Rice was filmed telling a young fan he’s ‘going nowhere’ this summer amid links to Arsenal, Man United and Bayern Munich
West Ham chief David Sullivan (right) revealed Rice turned down a new deal at the London Stadium just 18 months ago, saying the midfielder would be allowed to leave
“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.’
Arsenal are leading the hunt for Rice’s signature and it is believed he would rather stay in England than move abroad.
“I think the offers are starting to come in today,” Sullivan added. “There are three or four clubs that have expressed an interest, but out of respect for West Ham, as long as we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.
‘Decent clubs don’t do it that way.’
Rice had initially declined to talk about his possible summer move immediately after the finale.
“It’s flattering to be wanted by many clubs, but the crest on my chest tonight is West Ham,” said Rice.
“I still have two years left on my contract and in the end it’s up to the people up there. Until the day I leave this club, I will give absolutely everything and I will wear my heart on my sleeve for this badge.”
