Bayern target Rice as bidding war begins for star midfielder

BAYERN MUNICH have joined the race to sign Declan Rice.

Sources in Germany say the West Ham captain has been identified by Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel (below) as one of his top summer transfer targets.

Arsenal remain frontrunners to sign Rice, who is also wanted by Manchester United.

Bayern’s interest is good news for West Ham. The Hammers hope to spark a bidding war for the 24-year-old England international and intend to drive a hard bargain, with an initial valuation of about £120million.

Rice has rejected several offers of a new contract that would have made him the best-paid player at West Ham. He will have one year left on his contract this summer and, although the Hammers have an option to extend it by a further 12 months, the club has privately accepted that this summer represents the last chance to bank a big fee for him.

Rice is preparing to lead West Ham out in their Europa Conference League Final next week.

The game against Fiorentina in Prague looks set to be his final game for West Ham, but he insists talks over his future are on hold until after then.

“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,” said Rice. “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.”

West Ham are already considering potential replacements for Rice and have identified Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse as a target.

The Hammers yesterday touched down in Portugal, as full attention turns towards next week’s clash with Fiorentina.

David Moyes has flown his squad to the Algarve as he seeks to keep his players fresh during the 10-day gap between Sunday’s Premier League defeat at Leicester and next Wednesday’s showpiece in Prague.

The Hammers will take part in a three-day warm-weather training camp before returning to Rush Green at the back end of the week as media commitments ahead of the final ramp up.

Moyes has taken a full squad on the trip, barring injured striker Gianluca Scamacca.