Bayern Munich near Declan Rice deal

Bayern Munich are reportedly close to completing a shock move for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. It was thought that Rice favoured a move to Arsenal this summer, however, Thomas Tuchel’s best efforts to convince him to join Bayern appear to have paid off. Reports suggest that Rice now sees himself joining the German champions instead and that Bayern are ‘about to close the signing’ of Rice in what would be a huge transfer blow to Arsenal. The Bundesliga giants view Rice as ‘the perfect defensive midfielder’ for the club and Tuchel is believed to have held talks with the player on the telephone over a potential transfer. Tuchel is said to have told Rice that he would be a star at Bayern and that playing for his side would develop his game and take him to the next level. It is believed that Bayern will break their own transfer record to sign the England international after positive talks with Rice. Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with a summer move for Rice, who is destined to depart east London. Arsenal are preparing to submit a club record opening bid to sign him, which they may press ahead with quickly, amid reports that he could be heading to the Bundesliga instead.