REAL MADRID are reportedly interested in signing West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.

ButArsenal are still understood to be the frontrunnersto sign theEnglandinternational, with the 24-year-old having already given his word to the Gunners.

Ricewill enter the final year of his contract this summer amid interest from some of Europes biggest clubs.

ArsenalandChelseaare leading the way in their pursuit of the Hammers captain - who is valued at 80million.

Man Utd have also been linkedwith him despite signing Casemiro in the summer.

El Nacionalare reporting that the player has told Arsenal he will join them at the end of the season.

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That is despiteReal Madridpresident Florentino Perez being a long-time admirer of the midfielder.

The Los Blancos chief considered a bid for Rice in the past, but ultimately decided against doing so as the England man was deemed not for sale.

Now he is expected to leave in the summer given both his contract situation and the fact thatWest Hamare struggling at the wrong end of thePremier Leaguetable.

However, it has been claimed that Real Madrid will not try to sign Rice whileCarlo Ancelottiis still manager.

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And with no sign of the Italians imminent departure, the Spanish giants are expected to take a backseat for the time being.

Rice has played more than 200 games for West Ham, contributing 11 goals and 12 assists.

He has also already racked up 39 caps for England, scoring twice.

He is known to have been a boyhood Chelsea fan, with his goof friendMason Mountalso already at the club.

But Arsenals recent interest has thrown a spanner in the works when it comes to his future.

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