Top five Declan Rice replacements West Ham should target

The English midfielder is set to join Kai Havertz and co at Arsenal

Arsenal are all set to sign the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League winning captain who is awaiting a medical to get over with. Having already secured Kai Havertz for a £65 million transfer sum from close rival side Chelsea, the Gunners are again set to include another player from the ranks of a London club. Declan Rice will be the newest addition to Mikel Arteta's squad after West Ham reportedly accepted a £105m transfer fee.

However, it will serve as a massive dent in David Moyes's ambitions for Premier League 2023-24. Having already finished on a low in the domestic league with a standing of just 14th place last season, the Hammers will need a midfield replacement now.

5. Denis Zakaria (Juventus)

The Juventus player had spent a season-long loan at Chelsea last season. Although he wasn't able to become a regular, which is expected as the Stamford Bridge side was full of competition within that position. After making 11 appearances for The Blues in all competitions the defensive midfielder returned back to Turin.

West Ham manager David Moyes is seemingly interested in acquiring Denis Zakaria on a loan-to-buy deal. Zakaria currently receives £63,580 per week, which shouldn't be an obstacle for the Hammers.

4. Dario Osorio (Club Universidad de Chile)

The number 11 from Club Universidad de Chile could serve as a potential young replacement for outgoing Declan Rice. Although Leicester City might trouble West Ham's efforts who are also eyeing the 19-year-old Chilean midfielder.

Mauricio Pellegrino, the Argentine manager of the Chilean club has admitted the club's financial problems. And this could serve as a win-win situation for both Pellegrino's employers and David Moyes's West Ham. Dario Osorio has made 10 appearances in the ongoing Primera División de Chile scoring once and will surely be delighted to make a big move to the English Premier League.

3. Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

Having already gathered vast experience in the Premier League, Scott McTominay could also fill in the boots of Rice. At Manchester United, the Scottish midfielder has made 209 first-team club appearances in which he was also able to net 19 goals. McTominay rose through the ranks of United's youth setup, and later Jose Mourinho gave him entry to the first team.

And now it is reported Mourinho wants to bring the 26-year-old to AS Roma, the side he took to the Europa League finals last season. West Ham might also face competition in signing the defensive midfielder from Celtic.

2. Tyler Adams (Leeds United)

As Leeds United suffered relegation from the Premier League. Tyler Adams might be lured by the sides offering Premier League football this upcoming season. West Ham reportedly have Adams on their shortlist of players who could replace their outgoing captain.

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Tyler Adams wore the captain's armband for his national football team from the United States making four appearances in the tournament. The 24-year-old defensive midfielder was signed by Leeds from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig last summer where he won the DFB-Pokal 2022. Adams might be poised to move again this summer with David Moyes showing interest.

1. João Palhinha (Fulham FC)

The Portuguese defensive midfielder was a sensation for Fulham last season. After arriving from Portuguese club Sporting CP, Palhinha made 35 Premier League appearances and made his presence felt in the entire division. A whopping 147 tackles were made by João Palhinha which is 47 more than Brighton's Moisés Caicedo who finished second behind him on the Premier League tackles chart for the 2022-23 season.

The Fulham FC star though won't come on cheap. It is reported the Craven Cottage side is looking for a transfer fee of around £50 to 60 million mark to think about letting the 27-year-old leave. With Declan Rice's move set to bring in around double that sum, David Moyes could give it a go too. Although Tottenham might give them close competition in signing him.