Arsenal and Man Utd target Declan Rice responds to speculation over his future

The England international will be one of the most in-demand players in the world this summer, with next week’s Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina set to be his last game for the Hammers.

Arsenal have identified the 24-year-old as their top midfield target, while Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is also keen to bring him to Old Trafford.

Chelsea have long-standing interest in their former academy player, while it has even been claimed in Germany that he has spoken to Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel about a potential switch to Bavaria.

Right now, though, Rice is paying zero attention to the rumours swirling around him and insists his sole focus is on securing a European trophy with West Ham.

Asked if winning in Prague next week would be the perfect way to sign off, Rice replied: ‘I’ve not really focused on any of that, to be honest.

‘My main focus this season, from the World Cup onwards, has been getting us out of a relegation battle and, of course, having one eye on winning this trophy.

‘Everything else is just noise and speculation. Obviously, I can’t help that, it comes with playing.

‘But my main focus is playing for West Ham and winning this final. My heart’s set on that, doing it for the club, for my family, for the fans and that’s my only focus.

‘I want to make them all very happy and my focus is on doing that.’

On what it would mean to win the Europa Conference League, he continued: ‘I think all of us have dreamed about it, obviously with the journey we’ve been on.

‘We’re one game away from lifting something for West Ham, which would go down in history.

‘I don’t think about those things too much because I’ve been in finals before and obviously lost, the highs and lows of the game are really minimal.

‘But I think we’re all dreaming, the fans are all dreaming, and I think we have a right to but it’s down to us to get it done.’

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