Odds slashed on Declan Rice joining Man City as Arsenal have bid 'rejected' for West Ham star

The odds on Declan Rice joining Manchester City have been slashed amid reports the Premier League champions are looking to sign the West Ham captain.

Rice, 24, is widely expected to leave West Ham this summer after helping the east London club win the Europa Conference League in their final game of the season.

Arsenal are the favourites to sign the England international, having made the midfielder their number one transfer target.

The Athletic have reported that Arsenal has submitted an opening offer for Rice, which has been rejected.

West Ham are seeking more than £100m for their captain, who have the option to extend Rice's contract at the London Stadium to 2025 – putting them in a strong negotiating position.

The Hammers will be hoping for a bidding war for Rice, with several other clubs reportedly interested in signing him.

City considering bid for Rice

The Athletic claim City are 'actively exploring' a deal for Rice.

Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea have also been linked with the midfielder but have since cooled their interest.

City could be in the market for a new central midfielder if Ilkay Gundogan leaves the Etihad, with talks ongoing over a new deal for the German.

Since the reports of City's interest emerged, odds have been slashed on Rice moving to Manchester.

SkyBet are offering odds of 5/2 on Rice joining City, having had the move at more than 10/1 earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have drifted from 1/20 to 1/3 to sign the England star.

Where does Rice want to go?

Reporting on Bayern Munich's interest in Rice, German outlet Ran Sport claimed earlier this week that the midfielder is keen to move to Arsenal.

"Declan Rice told David Sullivan a while ago that he was only going to Arsenal," a source told the German outlet.

"This deal has actually been a done deal for a while."

It comes after West Ham chairman Sullivan confirmed that Rice had likely played his last game for the club in the Conference League final win over Fiorentina earlier this month.

Sullivan told talkSPORT: "I think it has to be.

"We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can't ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.

"In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement — or several replacements.

"It's not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It's cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go.

"You can't keep a player who doesn't want to be there."