Player set to snub Real Madrid after giving Arsenal 'his word' over record summer transfer

Declan Rice has reportedly given Arsenal 'his word' over a summer move to the Emirates.

Rice, 24, is wanted by several top clubs after continuing to impress as West Ham captain.

He is under contract with the Hammers until the summer of 2024, with the club holding an option to extend his stay by a further year.

However, it looks increasingly likely that the midfielder will leave in the summer transfer window.

Chelsea have a long-standing interest in Rice, while Arsenal are reported to have made the midfielder their 'top summer target'.

Transfer journalist Rudy Galetti claims Liverpool are also interested in signing Rice in the summer.

It comes after Rice openly admitted he wants to play Champions League football, an unlikely prospect with West Ham who are currently 16^th in the Premier League.

Real Madrid 'interested in Rice'

A remarkable report from Spain has now claimed that Real Madrid are also interested in the England international.

Spanish publication Nacional, as reported by Football365, claims that Real Madrid had Rice 'on their agenda' and have been 'following the West Ham United captain for a long time'.

But it is claimed that Rice has told Real Madrid there is 'no chance that he will end up joining' and that he has already 'given his word' to Arsenal.

Last week, the Guardian reported that Rice is 'favouring' a move to the Emirates, with the prospect of working under Mikel Arteta a major draw for the midfielder.

It comes after Rice praised Arsenal following West Ham's 3-1 defeat to the Gunners earlier this season.

"I think they're a top team, you can see they're coached incredibly well, the attacking talent, it's a young squad, they could go the whole way for sure," said Rice.

West Ham boss David Moyes has previously claimed that the club would demand as much as £150m for Rice.

However, recent reports suggest West Ham now value Rice at around £100m but could be forced to settle for £80m in the summer.

The Daily Mail claim Arsenal will go 'head-to-head' with Chelsea for Rice's signature, with the Gunners prepared to break their transfer record of £72 million – which they paid to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019.