Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel has held talks with Declan Rice over a move for the West Ham midfielder. When looking to bolster their roster with a center midfielder, Rice, according to Florian Plettenberg, is still at the top of their list of desired players. They are now trying to intensify their chase of the 24-year-old because of concern that they could be beaten by Premier League competitors like Arsenal. Despite the departures of its sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and chief executive Oliver Kahn over the weekend, their goals have not changed. Rice has said that he is not paying attention to any “noise and speculation” and that the only thing on his mind is the Europa Conference League final that will take place the following week.
“To be honest, I haven’t really paid attention to any of it. Getting us out of a relegation battle and, of course, keeping one eye on winning this title has been my major priorities this season, starting after the World Cup,” West Ham midfielder Declan Rice said with reports that Thomas Tuchel contacted him. “Everything else is idle chatter and conjecture. Naturally, I can’t help it; it’s part of playing. But playing for West Ham and winning this championship are my major priorities. My entire attention is on that; I’m doing it for the team, my family, and the fans. My main goal is to make them all happy, and I work hard to do that.”
At the end of the season, Arsenal is anticipated to make an offer for Rice, the West Ham captain. The English midfielder, who the Gunners were interested in back in January, is the subject of ongoing internal debates at the Emirates Stadium. Rice may quit West Ham, according to manager David Moyes, if the offer is good enough. Rice and West Ham have a “gentleman’s agreement” that allows him to leave in the summer as long as the club gets a bid of £120 million, whether in the form of a transfer money or a transfer fee plus players. Rice’s contract with West Ham has one year still to run, with an additional year’s option.
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