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Arsenal are now "willing to go over £100 million" for long-term transfer target Declan Rice, claims journalist Graeme Bailey.

The West Ham United captain has been linked to the north London club for months, but Bailey now understands they are willing to break their transfer record to secure the deal.

Arsenal transfer news – Declan Rice

The first rumblings of a potential deal to bring Rice to the Emirates emerged in the closing days of the January transfer window, and since then, the murmurings have turned into a constant stream of updates and rumours.

It now looks as if that might be coming to an end as the Gunners are preparing to offer the east London club a deal in excess of £100m if certain add-ons are met to secure the services of their player, per the Guardian.

Mikel Arteta's side weren't the only ones interested in the "destroyer", as labelled by ex-Tottenham Hotspur keeper Paul Robinson, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich linked with the player.

However, the Premier League runners-up look to be in a strong position to land the midfielder with Chelsea offering "no indication" that they will prioritise Rice.

What has Graeme Baily said about Arsenal's pursuit of Declan Rice

Bailey gave a promising update to Arsenal fans that the club was now willing to reach the asking price requested by West Ham.

Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Bailey said: "Arsenal has been his first choice for quite a while, and he doesn't want to leave London. It's a straight choice between Arsenal and Chelsea, really, and Arsenal are willing to go over £100 million for him now. That's our understanding.

"West Ham have always demanded that, and they're getting the breakthrough. I think it's a spectacular deal for West Ham."

Bailey gave his opinion on the deal, adding: "I like him, but I don't think he's a £100 million footballer, but if he's the player you want, Arsenal, you pay. If he can take you to that next level, you pay it, and I think they're getting very close to doing so."

How much is Declan Rice earning at West Ham, and what will he likely make at Arsenal

According to Spotrac, the Kingston-upon-Thames-born midfielder is currently on the relatively modest sum of £60,000-a-week in east London.

He had reportedly turned down an eight-year contract worth around £200,000-a-week two years ago to keep his options open for a move.

He would've lost around £14.5m worth of wages in the two years since.

However, the decision not to sign has paid off, as any move to the Gunners will likely result in him becoming one of their highest-paid players.

The current best-paid player at the north London club is Bukayo Saka, who is on an estimated £300,000-a-week.

With such a big-money move potentially on the cards for Rice, surely the big wages would come with a possible move to the Emirates.

Glasgow Rangers look set to be in for their busiest summer transfer window in quite some time as Michael Beale aims to overhaul a playing squad which has become stagnant across the previous 12 months.

Out go the likes of Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander as the wage budget has been trimmed, while Beale has quickly signed four players – and there will be more as the weeks go on.

Another squad player who could leave this summer is Scott Wright, as Preston North End had two bids rejected recently and it surely won't be long before he departs Ibrox after a woeful season.

The £5.6k-per-week dud played 34 times during 2022/23 and registered a paltry two assists – a dreadful return from the winger, and it’s clear he isn’t of the required quality needed going forward.

Could Beale turn to a January transfer target that is back on his radar in order to replace Wright if he does in fact move on from Rangers this summer? As Morgan Whittaker remains firmly in the 42-year-old's plans, according to The Daily Record, perhaps the Gers boss has a plan in place.

Could Rangers sign Morgan Whittaker this summer?

In all honesty, a move should have occurred back in January, as the Gers had three bids rejected by Swansea City for the pacey winger, with their final offer of £2m not enough to prise him away from Wales.

During the first half of last season, he spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle in the English third tier and was arguably their standout performer, registering nine goals and seven assists across just 25 league games, demonstrating his abilities from the right wing.

His form on the south coast was so devastating that he ranked second out of the whole squad for overall rating (7.1/10), despite playing just half a season, while also ranking third for goals and assists, as well as key passes per game and big chances created, underlining his importance to Plymouth.

His output dropped once he returned to Swansea, however, scoring just once in 15 Championship games, although he did only start two matches.

Beale is clearly a big fan of the 22-year-old winger, having previously lauded him as “excellent” – and the chase for him still appears to be very much alive.

The next few weeks could prove crucial with regard to a potential move, as the manager is aiming to get the vast majority of his business done early in order to focus on the Champions League qualifiers at the start of August.

Manchester United have made an enquiry about the availability of Utrecht midfielder Taylor Booth, according to a recent report from ESPN.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

Man United's pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has reached an impasse, as the Blues were unwilling to accept a bid of £55m, meaning Erik ten Hag and the club have now started to refocus on other targets, identifying several options.

The Red Devils could still make a move for Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch, who would be more than willing to make the switch to the Premier League, with transfer expert Dean Jones also confirming West Ham United's Declan Rice is of interest.

Jones outlines the likes of Romeo Lavia, Adrien Rabiot and Amadou Onana as alternatives to Mount, and a new report from ESPN has now linked United with a move for Booth, who currently plays for Utrecht in the Eredivise.

The report confirms that Man United's £55m offer for Mount remains on the table, should Chelsea choose to change their stance, but they appear to have moved on to other targets, with an enquiry being made about the Utrecht midfielder, amongst others.

Contact has been made with Ajax over the availability of Mohammed Kudus, while they have also asked about Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo. The Red Devils are said to be working within a strict budget this summer, with Ten Hag keen to bring in a midfielder, striker and goalkeeper.

Who is Taylor Booth?

The 22-year-old is lesser known than the majority of players Man United have been linked with, however, he is starting to make a name for himself in the Eredivisie, with members of the media praising him for his performances last season.

Journalist Joseph Lowery has described the American midfielder as "skillful, creative, quick, intense and versatile", while he has also added he is "tearing up" in the Netherlands, and it is hard to disagree.

The Utah-born ace displayed his versatility by regularly playing on the left-wing, right-wing and through the middle last season, during which time he weighed in with two goals and four assists, earning himself his first call-up to the USMNT.

That said, Booth is still young and not yet the finished article, so it could be a big risk for Man United to bring him in as an alternative to Mount, who has proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years.

West Bromwich Albion's focus heading into the summer transfer window was to offload players before even thinking about recruiting as they looked to balance the books.

However, after getting a lot of deadweight out of The Hawthorns in the early stages of the summer, and bringing in £7m through the sale of Dara O'Shea to Burnley, the Championship outfit can perhaps now start to bring in some of Carlos Corberan's targets.

Who is West Brom target Josh Key?

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O'Rourke, West Brom are in talks to sign versatile star Josh Key from League One side Exeter City.

Key is out of contract with Exeter and is therefore available on a free transfer, making him an ideal option for Albion as they look to strengthen in multiple positions.

Given his performances in the third tier, plus his contract situation, Key is understandably attracting plenty of interest. It is claimed that Championship pair Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City are also in for the 23-year-old, with the latter already making a compensation payment offer to Exeter.

Where would Josh Key fit in at West Brom?

Whoever wins the race for Key will be signing an extremely versatile player. The youngster started his career at right wing-back and featured there seven times last season, as per WhoScored, but he is also comfortable playing at centre-back (10 appearances), where a position has opened up at West Brom.

Key's versatility does not stop there, though, as he was also used in more advanced positions under Gary Caldwell last season, featuring on both the right and left wings, as well as in central attacking midfield and even as a striker.

"He is an amazing football player who can play in a number of positions and it is about how we utilise him in different games," Caldwell said in December.

Caldwell also praised Key's ability to get past an opponent, which is reflected in the fact that no City player attempted more dribbles (1.6) per game last season.

Key ultimately started out as a defender, and it may well be that it is at the back he finds himself should he join Albion, with Corberan feeling the need to overcome the exit of O'Shea. The Torquay native is just as strong in that side of the game, highlighted by his 1.6 tackles per game – only Alex Hartridge (1.8), who played exclusively at centre-back last season, could better than among Exeter regulars.

Should he arrive, it is clear that Key would not exactly be a like-for-like replacement for O'Shea. However, the former Tiverton Town loanee more than holds his own in certain areas when compared to the now-Burnley man.

For example, O'Shea averaged 1.1 tackles per game last season, while Key averaged 0.5 dribbles to the Irishman's 0.2. The latter did come out on top in terms of interceptions (1.8 v 0.7), but that can partly be explained by Key playing out wide and further up the field last season.

The pair are also different in stature, with Key – on a reported weekly wage of £1.1k per week during his time at Exeter – measuring in at 5 foot 10 and O'Shea at 6 foot 1.

Whether it is as a centre-back, right-back, on the wing or attacking midfield, it might just be that Joshua holds the key to unlocking a promotion-winning team under Corberan.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Rayan Cherki, as Mauricio Pochettino gets to work on crafting his side ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Blues will be eager to right their wrongs after a disastrous season, seeing them finish 12th and gaining just 11 wins all term in a shocking year for the club.

Despite spending around £600m on new signings across last year’s transfer windows, Pochettino is expected to have a busy summer in order to get his team to his liking, with the latest talent linked to Stamford Bridge posing as a less expensive upgrade.

What’s the latest on Rayan Cherki to Chelsea?

As reported by journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea hold an interest in Lyon’s teen sensation Cherki who is contracted to the French side until 2025.

After penning a new deal in April, the 19-year-old is highly valued by Les Gones however could depart this summer with the Blues “exploring” the idea of signing the midfielder.

That said, they may well have to pay Lyon's £43m asking price in order to conclude a deal.

What could Rayan Cherki offer to Chelsea?

Having just sold Kai Havertz to Arsenal, the west Londoners could identify a worthy replacement for the German in Cherki, who has similar attributes to the 24-year-old.

Hailed as being a “magnificent talent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the teenager has been influential to Lyon’s Ligue 1 campaign, recording 34 appearances in the French top division last season.

Scoring four goals and contributing six assists, via Sofascore, the Frenchman cemented himself as being one of his side’s best creative outlets, as highlighted by his average of making two key passes per game. That happens to be a great deal better than Havertz who could only manage 1.1 in the Premier League last term.

Having abilities in the final third in both creating and finishing suggest that the teenager could be a perfect replacement for the German, who added an encouraging outlet for the Blues in a poor season.

Ending the term as Chelsea’s top scorer in the league with seven goals, the 24-year-old leaves a gap requiring replenishment this summer, with Cherki displaying similar strengths to the versatile attacker.

Similarly to Havertz, the 19-year-old has the ability to be deployed in most areas across the attacking line, however, boasts a superior range of talent in progressive play, operating behind the striker.

When comparing the two players based on their statistics over their respective 2022/23 campaigns via FBref, it’s clear to see the added threat Cherki could offer to Pochettino in Havertz’s place.

Averaging 52.60 attempted passes per 90 to the German’s 31.32, the Lyon ace flexes an innate passing ability and desire to be on the ball, as highlighted by his 0.35 xAG (expected assists) per 90 to Havertz’s 0.13.

Chelsea lacked significantly in front of goal last season, as explained by their 38 goals scored in 38 games, which are fortunes that could be changed by introducing a maestro of progressive play to Pochettino’s attack.

As per FBref, Cherki could install a greater threat than the likes of Havertz in his eye to move towards the final third, averaging a monstrous 6.39 progressive carries per 90 to the Arsenal new recruit’s 2.07 per 90.

A similar pattern is evident in his rate of progressive passes, averaging 6.92 per 90 to the Aachen born gem’s 3.12, suggesting the ways he could rejuvenate the future attack at Stamford Bridge.

It’s integral that Pochettino gets Chelsea firing again, which is something he could do by introducing a creative bomb as effective as Cherki.

Liverpool are now ready to battle Newcastle United for the signature of Marc Guehi, but Crystal Palace are set to hold out for bids in excess of £60m if they are to sanction an exit for the defender, according to a report from Football Insider.

Is Marc Guehi leaving Crystal Palace?

With Guehi currently contracted until the summer of 2026, Palace are under no pressure to sell him this summer, but there is growing interest in his signature, with a number of top Premier League clubs now said to be eyeing moves.

Tottenham Hotspur have previously been linked with a move for the Englishman, with north London rivals Arsenal also being named as potential suitors, as Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his backline.

Newcastle and Liverpool have been competing for several of the same targets this summer, with the Reds ultimately beating the Magpies to the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai, while they are also competing for Sporting CP youngster Goncalo Inacio.

There may now be another battle for the signature of Guehi, according to a report from Football Insider, which details that Liverpool are now ready to fight it out with their Premier League rivals.

However, they have been made aware that the 6-foot defender will not come cheap, as Palace are set to ask for bids in excess of £60m, if they are to sanction an exit for one of their prized assets.

Spurs and Arsenal are also still in the frame, but there is a belief that Palace's asking price could make the difficult very difficult to orchestrate, even for the Premier League's elite clubs.

After dazzling for the second season on the spin at Selhurst Park, the Eagles are unwilling to let their academy graduate leave for less than they think he is worth.

Is Marc Guehi signing for Liverpool?

If Palace are unwilling to lower their asking price, it seems unlikely that FSG sanction a move for the 22-year-old, given that the owners are not exactly known for overspending on players.

Liverpool's net owner funding in the last five years comes in at second-lowest in the division, at negative £37m.

However, if the Eagles lower their asking price later in the transfer window, the up-and-coming centre-back could be a fantastic addition to Klopp's squad.

Hailed as an "exceptional talent" by members of the media, the former Swansea City now has four caps for England, having impressed at club level, averaging a 6.94 Sofascore match rating last season, a higher figure than Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate.

Former manager Patrick Vieira has also heaped praise on the England international. saying: “He’s an ambitious player who wants the best for himself and wants to represent his country. He’s been working well, really hard.

“When you look at his performances for us in the year-and-a-half I’ve been here, it’s been really consistent and good.He just has to keep working like that and he will get a time to play in a World Cup and get a chance to represent his country."

Guehi is not yet the finished article, but he has proven himself at Premier League level, and has the potential to become a top player.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are in the quest to replenish their side after making almost £80m worth of sales so far this transfer window.

Julen Lopetegui will be eager to put his spin on the squad he inherited last term from Bruno Lage, however the Spaniard could face his first howler with links to a Premier League underperformer arising.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been linked with a move to Molineux, however the Midlands club should avoid taking the risk on a potentially expensive move.

How much is Harry Maguire worth?

Valued at €23.5m (£20m) by FootballTransfers, the Englishman’s value has crashed following a sequence of underwhelming individual campaigns.

A report this week from GIVEMESPORT claimed that United hope to sell the defender for a speculated fee of £35m this summer.

Transfer insider Dean Jones raised Wolves as a potential suitor for Maguire in his GIVEMESPORT column saying:

'… The only other Premier League clubs on the lookout for a new centre back – that could seem viable in any shape or form – this summer include Wolves, Fulham and, at a stretch, his old club Sheffield United.'

Should Wolves sign Harry Maguire?

After a trialling 2022/23 season, the Old Gold relied on Lopetegui to turn fortunes around to keep the club in the Premier League, after sitting bottom of the table on Christmas Day.

In his first full term in the Midlands, the Spaniard will aim to get the side back among the top ten, with a raise in defensive and offensive structure required over the break in play.

With the objectives clear, it would be a questionable move for Wolves to go for Maguire, who at the age of 30, has seen a disappointing decline in form attributable to a knock in confidence.

The once famed Leicester City ace – and the world's most expensive defender – started just eight Premier League games last term for United, being identified as a weak spot in the club’s back line.

Slammed by Red Devils legend Roy Keane earlier this season for having “not been good enough”, the Englishman faces an almost impossible battle in reclaiming his spot as the club’s favoured central defender, leaving him facing a potential exile.

United’s trash should not be regarded as a project for Wolves to polish and use in the bid to improve, with other central defensive options available, Lopetegui could show the club’s ambition by avoiding a move for the £190k-per-week dud.

A report from Planet Football highlighted just how detrimental the 30-year-old has been to the Manchester giants’ form, with their record both with and without him being captured between the 2021/22 campaign to January 2023.

In that time frame, the Red Devils played 42 games with Maguire, losing 14 and conceding 62 goals with a loss rate of 33.3%, however without the Englishman in the side, the loss rate decreased to 18.2%, conceding 33 goals and losing just six in 33 games.

In a season that must show progression, adding a defender famed for his frailties should not be for consideration, with the room for defensive error being considerably low in the top tier.

Leeds United could finally be set to purge one of their least reliable assets this summer, offloading their goalkeeper in order to usher in a new era.

Will Illan Meslier leave Leeds United?

Daniel Farke will be well aware of what needs rectifying to ensure the Whites have the best possible chance at achieving promotion. Especially given how glaring their defensive frailties have been in recent seasons, with last term even seeing them ship 78 goals in the Premier League, the most in the division.

Sam Allardyce clearly sought to solve this issue by dropping Illan Meslier, providing a huge indication as to who he thought was at fault for such horrific figures. However, he alone cannot shoulder all of the blame, but his performances did not help.

As such, reports from late last week are continuing to suggest the Frenchman will now be sold in order to fund a replacement, which could come in the form of Alexander Nubel.

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper has struggled to announce himself as a true competitor for that number one spot since his 2020 move, and could now seek to reignite a faltering career at Elland Road.

How good is Alexander Nubel?

The proposed exit of Meslier should come as little surprise, given how poor his most recent league campaign was.

Averaging a 6.65 rating, he would ship two goals per game whilst enduring a save percentage of just 58%, via Sofascore. His rating made him the eighth-worst performer of those who started five games within a squad that slumped to relegation, further emphasising that a large portion of the blame does in fact lie with the failing shot-stopper.

One of the biggest criticisms that came the way of Meslier was his lack of presence, as he would often flap at crosses to hand the opposition a lofty advantage.

Two examples spring to mind, once where his failed punch allowed Jefferson Lerma to score AFC Bournemouth's second in a 4-1 thrashing, and the second in their crunch relegation six-pointer against Everton, as the £30k-per-week dud allowed Seamus Coleman's wayward cross to find the net from an impossible angle, surrendering all three points.

Although it was a year earlier, journalist Barry Collins' summation still stands: "Meslier. Bit of a liability."

Therefore, it will be pleasing for Leeds fans to know that a truly dominant goalkeeper might well replace him, as the 6 foot 4 Nubel continues to be linked.

Having enjoyed a fine year-long stint at AS Monaco most recently, his 6.93 average rating in Ligue 1 was boosted through his 3.7 saves per game, at a 71% success rate, via Sofascore.

However, even back when he played for FC Schalke, the 26-year-old was commended for his ability to take control of difficult situations. European football expert Kevin Hatchard even claimed: "He is the captain of Schalke and a goalkeeper in his early 20s. He is a very good goalkeeper with a [Manuel] Neuer vibe about him.

“He’s good with his feet, commanding, and he’s got a bit of arrogance about him which I don’t think is a terrible thing."

At last they would regain some reliability in between the sticks, and alongside their recent defensive addition of Ethan Ampadu too, the future of their back line already looks far brighter than it has done in recent memory.

Ever since Sandro Tonali joined Newcastle United, the running joke has been his constant lack of smile, with many quick to joke that the Italian would much rather still be at AC Milan, rather than the Magpies.His debut display showed anything but an uncommitted player, however, with the Italian putting in an impressive first shift as a Newcastle player. We may not have got that big smile yet, but Eddie Howe certainly has reason to remain positive about his new arrival.With Champions League football to think about in the coming campaign, every player in Howe’s squad will have a job to do. And, given Tonali’s price tag of £55m, he, more so than others, will have the pressure on him to perform.Just 23, the midfielder has the chance to become a constant feature in a potential era to remember at St James’ Park.

Sandro Tonali impresses on Newcastle debut

And while not every new signing is having a great pre-season – check out Kai Havertz at Arsenal for instance – it appears the new NUFC man is settling in smoothly on the pitch.

As you can see from the video, Tonali’s performance, whilst not exactly flashy, was incredibly neat and tidy. Meanwhile, something to note was how physical the Italian was, which should see him settle into the intensity of Premier League football rather quickly.

He also played a part in the build-up to the first goal of the game, playing a fine first-touch pass to grab himself a pre-assist.

Newcastle ran out 2-1 winners at Ibrox against Rangers in what was Alan McGregor’s testimonial match. The Magpies initially took the lead through Miguel Almiron, before Sam Lammers equalised for the hosts after the break.

Securing the victory late on, Harrison Ashby found the back of the net in the 87th minute to hand Newcastle a solid second game of pre-season against the Scottish Premiership side.

Howe’s side started their pre-season against Gateshead, of course, winning 3-2 in a back-and-forth affair as they came back from two goals down.

The Newcastle manager commented on his side’s most recent display, saying: “Bits of the first half was outstanding, some really good football.

“Second half wasn’t as pretty and clean but there were a lot of changes, we managed to find a way to win again and that’s a great thing.”

What kind of player is Sandro Tonali?

Tonali is not a player that will necessarily leave you in awe. But he is a player that you’ll look back on as an important cog in a well-oiled machine, sitting at the base of a midfield three.

To get a better understanding of his talents, Football FanCast have done an in-depth profile on the player which you can read here.

The Italian’s arrival is particularly positive for Bruno Guimaraes, who will have a greater license to advance into a more offensive role next season, such is the discipline of Tonali.

Last season, the Brazilian was involved in 10 goals in all competitions, scoring five and assisting a further five. Suddenly, however, those numbers could increase even more if he is allowed to advance more often.

Tonali certainly has plenty of time to improve, too, given the fact that he’s just 23. And, with that, giving him time to settle wouldn’t exactly be a bad thing. After all, he’s not coming into a Newcastle side in desperate need of reinforcements.

After his debut performance, though, it’s clear that the Magpies have got themselves a player who is more than capable of stepping into England’s top flight, perhaps helping his new side to even greater heights than last season.

Here are some Twitter reactions after his eye-catching display.

The departure of Declan Rice will affect West Ham United in several ways.

The club has not only lost their imperious and ever-present talisman but also their captain – a pillar of leadership, composure, and tenacity.

It has left the Hammers scrambling as they assess how to adequately reinvest the mammoth £105m fee acquired from the record sale.

A new midfielder is the most pressing concern for West Ham, but David Moyes is reportedly also targeting a new right-sided centre-back.

One of those linked is Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

What’s the latest on Taylor Harwood-Bellis to West Ham?

According to the Guardian, the Irons are working on a deal for the Manchester City prodigy.

Alongside Harwood-Bellis, West Ham are also looking at Trevoh Chalobah and Harry Maguire. However, due to Wesley Fofana’s injury and the former Manchester United skipper’s high wages, the youngster could emerge as the most logical and attainable option.

The Evening Standard, meanwhile, claims the Premier League champions value their young talent at around £15m.

Would Taylor Harwood-Bellis be a good signing for West Ham?

Despite still being just a 21-year-old, Harwood-Bellis has amassed a commendable range of experience, including various Championship loans and a short stint with Anderlecht.

This means he’s accumulated 97 appearances away from the Etihad Stadium and is now well-placed to regularly feature for a Premier League side.

The 6 foot 2 gem has also sporadically made inroads into Pep Guardiola’s lineups, making his professional debut for his boyhood club in September 2019 in the EFL Cup.

At the beginning of 2020, he scored his first goal for City in an FA Cup victory over Port Vale and was rewarded with a new contract until 2024.

However, a pathway into the City first-team looks extremely complicated and murky.

The reigning European Champions already boast the likes of Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Aymeric Laporte, and seem on the verge of signing Josko Gvardiol.

Nevertheless, Harwood-Bellis deserves consistent top-flight football, thanks to a hugely impressive period at Burnley.

Last season, whilst on loan at Turf Moor, he made 31 second-tier starts, averaging the most interceptions (1.1) and blocks (0.7) per game in the squad as the Clarets cantered to promotion and conceded the least goals (35) in the division.

Internationally, the Englishman has also underlined his quality, as he captained the U21 Three Lions to European Championship. During this run, he started five of the six games, managed a 90% pass accuracy, and won 86% of his ground duels.

The Stockport-born titan is brimming with quality, and his former Burnley boss – and City legend – Vincent Kompany has predicted a huge future, saying:

“I think his biggest quality, that is perhaps more difficult to see on the eye, is his leadership and his incredible drive and high standards.”

These attributes perfectly encapsulate what Rice provided the London Stadium on a weekly basis.

Following the retirement of Mark Noble in May 2022, the former Chelsea academy product was named as West Ham’s captain.

This honour was a testament to his calibre, mentality, and reliability.

Since the 2017/18 campaign, Rice has featured in 203 of the last 228 Premier League games, and while Harwood-Bellis occupies a different position, he has experience leading a side to success.

Securing his signature would be a fantastic way to soften Rice’s exit and kickstart their underwhelming transfer window.