Bayern Munich have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer.
Hammers chairman David Sullivan has confirmed that the 24-year-old captain has a gentleman's agreement to leave the club this summer, with his current contract due to expire in 12 months' time.
Rice successfully led West Ham to Europa Conference League glory earlier this month – the club's first European silverware for 58 years – and he has been an integral member of David Moyes's first-team squad, contributing with five goals and three assists in 50 games across all competitions in 2022-23.
The England international has spent his entire professional career with the Hammers and has made a total of 245 appearances since his debut in 2017, but the midfielder is set to seek pastures new this summer and fulfil his dream of playing Champions League football.
Arsenal have been regarded as the frontrunners to sign Rice for some time, but Bayern Munich were also thought to be in the race for his signature, with head coach Thomas Tuchel said to be an admirer of the midfielder.
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However, the Daily Mail reports that the Bundesliga champions have decided to step away from making a big-money proposal to sign Rice as they expect the Englishman to join Arsenal.
The report adds that Bayern are aware that Rice's preference is to remain in the Premier League and link up with Mikel Arteta in North London.
Arsenal are understood to have stepped up their pursuit of the midfielder since West Ham's European triumph, and one report claims that they are close to reaching an agreement over a fee which could eventually rise to a club-record £100m.
The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in Rice for several months, but Arsenal are now firmly in pole position to lure him away from the London Stadium.
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Bayern are now said to have shifted their focus onto recruiting a new centre-forward having yet replaced Robert Lewandowski following his departure to Barcelona last summer.
The Bavarian giants have recently seen widespread changes made to the club's hierarchy, with technical director Marco Neppe, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and board members including Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness among those who will now work closely with head coach Tuchel on transfers over the summer.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern will ramp up their interest in Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, who is allegedly increasingly unlikely to join Manchester United.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has also been linked with Bayern, although the Germans could face stern competition from Man United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.
Meanwhile, Joshua Kimmich has played down rumours of a potential exit from the Allianz Arena this summer amid reported interest from the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal.
Oliver Thomas
