Declan Rice favors a move to Arsenal, but it seems West Ham won't let their ace off the hook so easily. According to The Sun, the club are interested in a player swap if Rice wants to play for Arsenal. West Ham wants to include in the deal the card of Emile Smith Rowe, who if the transfer becomes a reality, will play for West Ham.
Sources close to the clubs suggest that West Ham manager David Moyes is a fan of Smith Rowe, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hesitant to let go of his player. The West Ham chiefs know that interest in Rice is high, and are in a good position to negotiate.
Moyes is well aware that Declan Rice is irreplaceable for the club, but a talent like Smith Rowe could help rebuild the club after Rice's departure. The Arsenal man on the other hand is no longer a top favorite for a starting spot in Arteta's team, and that will push West Ham's bosses even further to delay their bid.
Arteta may be forced to finally let go of Smith Rowe, with Rice the main target of the summer transfer window. Moreover, the competition for the midfielder will be strong from Manchester United and Bayern Munich, two prestigious clubs who are also able to offer Rice a starting place in the team. However, with Rice preferring to play in the Premier League, and Manchester United unable to guarantee him a place in the Champions League next season, the player is more inclined towards a move to the Emirates.
Sources close to the midfielder say that Rice is attracted to the idea of building a new team at Arsenal, as well as the role he can play in this direction.
