Bayern Munich have stepped up their interest for West Ham captain Declan Rice according to reports.

The future of the 24-year-old has been the topic of much speculation with Premier League giants Arsenal reportedly the heavy favorites to win the race for the highly-rated midfielder’s signature.

According to The Times’ Constantin Ecke, however, Rice has held talks with Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel over a move to Bavaria this summer with the former Chelsea boss putting on a charm offensive for the England international.

West Ham captain set for move to Germany?

According to Ecke, Tuchel has phoned Rice personally to try to convince him that he will build his Bayern team around him next season in order to convince the midfielder to uproot from London and move to Germany.

Tuchel is reportedly convinced that Rice is the perfect man to cover the space left behind by the attacking trio of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, and Sadio Mane, whose future at Bayern looks secure for now.

And Bayern are not likely to be deterred by the $105m asking price for Rice, whose star in the game continues to grow as he prepares for what will be his last match for his hometown club: the UEFA Conference League final against Italian side Fiorentina.