West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed captain Declan Rice will be sold during the summer transfer window after leading the team to glory in the Europa League conference.

After Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, the England midfielder became only the third Hammers captain to hoist a trophy.

However, Sullivan acknowledged that a gentleman’s agreement will allow the 24-year-old, who has been strongly linked to Arsenal, to leave.

When asked if lifting the trophy in Prague was Rice’s final act as a West Ham player, Sullivan told Talksport: “I think it has to be. We promised him he could go.

“He set his heart on going and in due course he has to get on and we have to get a replacement.

“It is not something we wanted to happen. We offered him £200,000 ($249,000) a week 18 months ago and he turned it down. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.

“I think the offers will start to come today. Three or four clubs have shown interest but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.”

West Ham’s victory in Prague ended a 43-year trophy drought.

“I’m still in shock,” Rice said in the afterglow of the win. “It’s incredible. I love this club, they’ve made me one of their own.

“There is interest from other clubs. Let’s wait and see. Who knows?”