DECLAN RICE has his heart set on a move to Arsenal, SunSport understands.
But West Ham are believed to be interested in the idea of a deal involving Emile Smith Rowe moving the opposite way.
Sources say David Moyes is a “big fan” of Smith-Rowe but that Mikel Arteta is reluctant to sell him.
Our insider said: “West Ham know they are in a strong position with this deal which is why targeting a talent like Emile Smith Rowe has become part of the conversation at the club.
“Nobody can replace Declan Rice, but David Moyes is a big fan of Smith Rowe and thinks he could really help the team as they rebuild and plan for life after Declan Rice.
“For a long period Smith Rowe was one of Arsenal’s best players but he has fallen down the pecking order a little bit. He won’t be a starter next season but Arsenal aren’t keen to lose the player.
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"However, if it means getting Rice and keeping him away from Bayern Munich and Manchester United, it could ultimately end up being a road they are forced to go down. Rice is there main summer target.”
And in a boost for the Gunners, Rice is apparently desperate for the move to go through.
The source added: “Right now Declan is in a very strong position, but Arsenal is the move he really wants.
“He likes the journey the club is on and the role he could potentially play in helping them to move to the next level.
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“Going abroad at this stage of his career isn’t on his mind. He thinks he’s already playing in the best league in the world. Why would he want to leave?”
Meanwhile, SunSport understands Man United have not given up on the idea of landing the player.
“Erik ten Hag has made no secret of his love for the player,” a United insider said. “Securing him and Mason Mount would be a massive statement that the club is moving from contenders to challengers.
There is going to be a lot of activity at Old Trafford over the summer and the squad will look very different in August to what it is now. Up to 11 players in all could go in the end.”
SunSport last night revealed that West Ham will demand a British-record £110million fee for Rice.
After the Hammers' Europa Conference League triumph on Wednesday, owner David Sullivan confirmed that his side's skipper wants to leave the club.
You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season
Asked if it had been Rice's final game for West Ham, Sullivan said: "It has to be. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
"You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement — or several replacements.
“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
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“It’s cost him £10m to stay at West Ham in that time [in lost wages].
“He wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
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