West Ham United have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential replacements for midfielder Declan Rice.
Hammers chairman David Sullivan has confirmed that the 24-year-old has a gentleman's agreement to leave the London Stadium this summer, with his contract due to expire in 12 months' time.
Rice is free to seek pastures new and fulfil hid dream of playing Champions League football after successfully leading West Ham to Europa Conference League glory in 2022-23.
The midfielder has made a total of 245 appearances for the Hammers since his debut in 2017, scoring 15 goals and providing 13 assists, and he is currently on international duty with England.
Rice has been strongly linked with a big-money summer move to Arsenal, who have allegedly seen an opening offer worth up to £90m rejected by West Ham.
The Gunners are expected to table an improved offer closer to £100m, although the Hammers are thought to value their captain in the region of £120m.
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Mikel Arteta's side could face competition from Premier League champions Manchester City, who are said to be closely monitoring Rice's situation, while Manchester United and Chelsea also remain in the race for his signature.
Should West Ham cash in on Rice this summer, Sky Sports News reports that Fulham's Joao Palhinha, Ajax's Edson Alvarez and Southampton's James Ward-Prowse have all been identified as potential targets.
Palhinha enjoyed a successful debut campaign with Fulham in 2022-23 following his £20m transfer from Sporting Lisbon last summer, starting 35 Premier League games and completing more tackles (147) than any other player in the division.
The 27-year-old still has four-years remaining on his contract at Craven Cottage and Fulham director of football Tony Khan recently confirmed that the midfielder's deal does not include a release clause.
West Ham will hope that competing in next season's Europa League can persuade Palhinha to leave Fulham and move to the London Stadium, although it is understood that La Liga champions Barcelona are also interested in the Portugal international.
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Meanwhile, Ajax star Alvarez has been tipped to leave the Dutch giants this summer, 12 months after failing to secure a move to Chelsea.
The 25-year-old Mexico international has spent the last four years at Ajax and recently admitted that the summer transfer window "could be the right time to take the next step in his career".
Both West Ham and Borussia Dortmund are set to battle for the signature of Alvarez, who can operate at either centre-back or in centre-midfield and has made close to 150 appearances for Ajax in all competitions.
Another player on West Ham's radar is Southampton skipper Ward-Prowse, who is expected to leave his boyhood club following their relegation from the Premier League.
The 28-year-old has contributed with 55 goals and 53 assists in 409 games during his 12-year professional career with the Saints, who are said to value the dead-ball specialist at around £40m.
Oliver Thomas
