Arsenal monitoring 17-year-old starlet tipped for big future with Premier League rivals

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Arsenal are reportedly keeping an eye on the progress of West Ham United teenage starlet Declan Rice with a view of making a move.

The 17-year-old has attracted the attention of many clubs as he has been described as ‘one of the outstanding young prospects in British football’ in the report by The Sun.

Having impressed for the West Ham Under-23s side with 12 appearances in total so far this season, he’s knocking on the door to break into the senior squad under Slaven Bilic but the situation could become a little more complicated.

It’s claimed that Arsenal have been long-term admirers of the talented youngster and his Hammers form combined with the fact that he’s already making progress on the international stage at youth level with the Republic of Ireland means that the Gunners could be preparing a move sooner rather than later.

However, it will be difficult to prise him away from the London Stadium as his current contract runs for another three years, and so West Ham are in a strong position to demand a hefty fee to part company with Rice.

Bilic will be desperate to avoid losing one of the club’s stars for the future to a Premier League rival, but as the club’s struggles continue this season, he has bigger problems on his mind at this stage.

Nevertheless, West Ham will have to remain aware of reported interest from Arsenal, as the Gunners could soon swoop and attempt to persuade Rice to start the next chapter of his career in north London.

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