West Ham chairman confirms Declan Rice will leave the club, Arsenal leading the race.

In what appears to be a pivotal moment for West Ham United, club chairman David Sullivan has seemingly confirmed the imminent departure of their star midfielder, Declan Rice. After consistently delivering impressive performances at the London Stadium, Rice’s future has been a subject of intense speculation.

The 24-year-old English international has long been touted for a high-profile move, and according to reliable sources at talkSPORT, it is Arsenal who currently holds the advantage in the race for his signature, outpacing both Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Sullivan, speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, disclosed that Rice had rejected a lucrative contract extension offer from West Ham. Furthermore, it has been made clear that the talented midfielder is eager to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere, with last night’s Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina likely marking his final appearance for the Hammers.

When probed about the possibility of Rice bidding farewell to the East London club, Sullivan conceded,

“I believe it has come to that point. We had given him our word that he could leave, and he had firmly set his heart on a new chapter.”

He further acknowledged Rice’s immense dedication throughout the season, remarking,

“We cannot ask for a player who has given us more this year. Eventually, he must move on, and we must begin the search for a suitable replacement, or perhaps even multiple replacements.”

The chairman also revealed West Ham’s previous attempts to secure Rice’s long-term commitment, stating,

“It is not a scenario we desired. We offered him a substantial £200,000-per-week contract 18 months ago, an offer that he declined. Remaining at West Ham during this period has cost him approximately £10 million in lost wages. However, his desire to seek a new challenge persists.”

Sullivan hinted that offers for Rice’s services are expected imminently, explaining,

“I anticipate the arrival of official offers as early as today. While several clubs have expressed their interest, it is important to adhere to the principles of respect toward West Ham. Consequently, no formal offers will be entertained while we are still actively competing.”

With Arsenal fans eagerly anticipating significant progress in the pursuit of Rice, securing the services of the highly regarded midfielder would serve as a resounding statement of intent for Mikel Arteta’s side as they prepare for a return to the prestigious UEFA Champions League next season.