Declan Rice focusing on Europa Conference League final amid Arsenal rumours
|West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice insists he is focused on winning the Europa Conference League next month.
Arsenal are interested in signing the England international this summer as manager Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his squad.
The Gunners missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City despite topping the table for 248 days.
A lack of depth proved costly, and Arsenal reckon adding Rice to their ranks will come in handy next season ahead of another title challenge.
The 24-year-old has also been linked with Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
Rice is aware of the rumours making the rounds, but he is focusing on the game with Fiorentina next Wednesday.
“I’ve not really focused on any of that, to be honest,” the West Ham star told the Evening Standard when asked whether winning in Prague would be the ideal way to sign off.
“My main focus this season, from the World Cup onwards, has been getting us out of a relegation battle and, of course, having one eye on winning this trophy.
“Everything else is just noise and speculation. Obviously, I can’t help that, it comes with playing. But my main focus is playing for West Ham and winning this final. My heart’s set on that, doing it for the club, for my family, for the fans and that’s my only focus. I want to make them all very happy and my focus is on doing that.”
Arsenal will have to part with around £120 million to have a chance of pipping suitors to Rice’s services.
He has one year left on his contract, with an option to extend it by another year, and the Hammers want top dollar for their captain.
The Gunners want to splash the cash this summer as they need quality squad depth.
They are playing in the Champions League next term and will be keen to impress on their return to the competition.
However, whether they are ready to break the bank to sign Rice remains to be seen.