Manchester United are in the race with Arsenal to sign Declan Rice (Getty)
Arsenal’s valuation of Declan Rice is significantly lower than West Ham’s asking price and the Gunners now face strong competition from Manchester United for the midfielder, according to reports.
Rice is one of Mikel Arteta’s top targets with Arsenal keen to strengthen their options in central midfield ahead of the new season.
The 24-year-old has made it clear that he is keen to join a club who are competing in the Champions League, while David Moyes has conceded that there is a ‘good chance’ that West Ham will sell the midfielder in the upcoming transfer window.
According to MailOnline, Arsenal are the ‘most advanced’ in the race to sign Rice, however, the Gunners are said to be over £10 million below the price West Ham are demanding.
The report claims that the Hammers are keen to secure a fee in excess of £100m for the England international, and their hopes of a bidding war have been boosted with Manchester United also expressing their interest.
It’s claimed that that United manager Erik ten Hag has identified Rice as a player who can add ‘steel and energy’ to his midfield.
West Ham are demanding in excess of £100m for Declan Rice (CameraSport via Getty)
Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson believes Arsenal will be priced out of a move for Rice this summer.
‘Arsenal are not going to be able to compete financially when it comes to salary or transfer fees against City or Bayern or PSG – it is just not going to happen,’ Johnson told Lord Ping.
‘I think he would be a great fit at Arsenal because he has the technical ability and he would suit that team down to the ground. But, if he is available, then the bigger teams are going to take him.
More: Trending
‘I think Rice is more likely to go to Chelsea than Arsenal, especially if Mount stays. They are obviously good friends, they go way back.
‘Mount to Arsenal is probably the most realistic transfer out of all those scenarios. He is another fantastic player and he would suit that team down to the ground and he would probably cost half the money.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Worrying for the Gunners.
