West Ham want Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe in swap deal for Declan Rice

West Ham United want Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe in a swap deal for Declan Rice, reports The Sun.

The Gunners want to sign the Hammers captain and he is also keen on a move.

West Ham manager David Moyes is a big fan of Smith-Rowe, but his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta does not want to sell the England youth international.

However, the Europa Conference League winners ‘know they are in a strong position’ with the Rice deal, and targeting the North London ace has become part of their conversation.

Rice is Arsenal’s main summer target, but they face competition from Manchester United and Bayern Munich for his services.

They are desperate to land the 24-year-old and could eventually be forced to part with Smith-Rowe in exchange.

Injuries prevented the 22-year-old from featuring for Arsenal at the start of the campaign.

He found it hard to force his way back into Arteta’s starting XI when he returned to fitness.

The Gunners academy graduate made 14 appearances across all competitions and weighed in with two assists.

However, Smith-Rowe did not start any of those games and is unlikely to become a regular next term.

West Ham can hand him regular playing opportunities, and he could be keen on a move.

Not playing regularly will affect his chances of forcing his way back into Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of next year’s European Championship.

Smith-Rowe scored ten goals and assisted another two in 33 Premier League games in 2021-22.

He has what it takes to improve West Ham’s midfield, and it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal will agree to a swap deal.