West Ham may have to fight off Arsenal to keep hold of West Ham Under 23 star Declan Rice, according to the Sun. The centre half was part of Slaven Bilic’s preseason tour plans when he faced Slovacko and Rubin Kazan in the summer, and he has already been called up by Republic of Ireland’s Under 21 despite only being 17 years of age.
Rice still has over three years left on his current deal and the Gunners will not find willing sellers in the Hammers if they do make a bid in the January transfer window.
Matt Law in the Telegraph has reported Arsene Wenger will not be buying any first team players next month, which suggests that Arsenal will not make a move for Dimitri Payet, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Gunners making a move for Rice.
The youngster has made 10 appearances in Premier League 2 for West Ham’s Under 23 side so far this campaign, as well as two appearances in the EFL Trophy against Coventry City and Northampton Town.
