Bayern Munich set to soil Arsenal’s path to Declan Rice

In a surprising turn of events, Bayern Munich is said to be closing in on the signing of West Ham captain Declan Rice, according to a shock report. The 24-year-old midfielder has been garnering interest from several top clubs following another impressive season at the London Stadium.

Initially, Arsenal was believed to be leading the race to secure the services of the England international, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern also showing interest. However, recent reports suggest that the German giants have made significant progress in their pursuit of Rice.

According to The Times, Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel engaged in talks with Rice and expressed his admiration, viewing him as the ideal holding midfielder for his side. These discussions were part of a wider “charm offensive” to convince Rice to join the club.

The report gained further traction when Marca journalist Jose Felix Diaz, via Metro, claimed that Bayern Munich is on the verge of finalizing the signing of the West Ham star. It is rumored that Bayern is willing to pay a transfer fee of up to £85 million, which would surpass their previous record expenditure on a player.

If accurate, this development would come as a major blow to Arsenal’s summer transfer plans. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly a “huge fan” of Rice and has made him the club’s primary target for the upcoming transfer window.

Despite conflicting reports, with some sources suggesting Arsenal remains in pole position, the potential Bayern Munich deal puts Arsenal’s pursuit of the midfielder at risk.

Football Insider reported that Rice has informed his friends that he has played his final league game for West Ham, with Arsenal considered the most likely destination.

Furthermore, the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel stated that Arsenal is preparing a substantial opening bid of £90 million, surpassing the club-record fee paid for Nicolas Pepe in 2019 when he moved from Lille to the Emirates Stadium.

While Rice’s destination remains uncertain, it is clear that his future will not be decided until after West Ham’s final game of the season. The team is set to face Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League final in Prague on Wednesday, potentially marking Rice’s last match in a West Ham shirt.

The coming weeks will undoubtedly bring further developments in this transfer saga, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich vying for Rice’s signature. The final decision rests with the player himself, who will assess his options before committing to his next club, eager to continue his promising career at the highest level.