West Ham skipper Declan Rice has tried to squash switch hypothesis linking him with a transfer away from his aspect till the summer season forward of the Europa Conference League ultimate in opposition to Fiorentina subsequent month. The midfielder has been closely linked with a transfer to Arsenal this summer season, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich additionally monitoring his scenario carefully.

Rice has been one of many Hammers’ saving graces this season, with the midfielder taking part in a significant position in steering his aspect to security. David Moyes’ aspect are resigned to dropping their captain on the finish of the season, although negotiations will solely happen when the marketing campaign has actually concluded and if their asking value – anticipated to surpass £90million – is met.

Arsenal reportedly imagine that they lead the race to signal the 24-year-old, although the participant has assured West Ham supporters that his future shouldn't be on the forefront of his thoughts. Asked about switch rumours, he stated: “I have not really focused on any of that.

“My main focus this season since after the World Cup has been getting us out of the relegation battle and winning this trophy, my heart is set on that. Everything else is just noise and speculation.

“I can’t help that, it comes with playing. Doing it for the club, my family and the fans - that is my only focus. I want to make them very happy and will do everything I can.”

Rice has stood out on the European stage and securing silverware could be an apt finish to his spell on the membership, although he would hesitate to label it as that for the foreseeable future. Speaking in regards to the prospect of lifting the trophy on the Fortuna Arena, he continued: “All of us have thought about it.

“The journey we have been on, now we are one game away from lifting something for West Ham. It will go down in history. But I don’t think about those things too much because I have been in finals before and lost.

“The differences between the highs and lows of the game are really minimal. But I think we are all dreaming and all the fans are dreaming. We have a right to but it is down to us to get it done. We have the squad who have played in big games and have some big winners in our team. We will be ready for anything. It is the last game of the season and we need to empty the tank and give absolutely everything for the club, each other and the fans.”

It stays to be seen whether or not success with West Ham may persuade the captain to stay on the membership past this summer season or if the accolade would merely bump his switch valuation up additional.