Declan Rice exit imminent as West Ham drop huge transfer hint

FT Desk

• Updated: 1 Jul 2023 17:14 BST
• 3 min read

West Ham United have dropped the biggest hint yet that Declan Rice will be leaving the club during the summer transfer window.

Having previously attracted attention from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and City, Arsenal now appears the most likely destination for the England international.

READ: Rice to Arsenal and seven transfers that could be completed this week

The Gunners' bid of an initial £100 million plus £5 million in add-ons proved enough to sway West Ham, who in previous windows have been steadfast in their refusal to sell one of their key assets.

And while official confirmation of the deal is still pending, the Hammers already appear to be preparing for life without Rice.

The club's official store has removed the midfielder's No. 41 shirt from sale ahead of a move being completed, with the list now ending abruptly after Emerson Palmieri and 33 in the 'shop by player' section of the website.

West Ham clearly hope to avoid any backlash from fans still willing to splash out on Rice's jersey and save them from imminent disappointment.

Hammers favourite prepares to leave

Rice, 24, has been a cornerstone of the West Ham line-up ever since making his debut as a teenager on the last day of the 2016-17 Premier League season.

He has gone on to make 245 appearances for the Hammers, scoring on 15 occasions, while his sparkling performances in the engine room have also made him a regular for England, whom he represented at the 2022 World Cup.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers | All the Done Deals

If as expected a move across London is completed Rice did at least end his West Ham career on a high, winning the UEFA Conference League in May to seal his first senior trophy and the Hammers' first title since the Intertoto Cup in 1999.