Declan Rice is keen on leaving Arsenal (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal are preparing to submit a club record £92million opening bid to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
The England ace is set to leave the London Stadium this summer given his desperation to play Champions League football.
Rice’s availability is set to spark a bidding war between a host of Premier League clubs, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all interested in Rice.
However, it’s Arsenal that lead the race to sign the midfielder and they’re seeking to strike early in the transfer window to avoid a bidding war.
Mikel Arteta feels his side lacked leadership and phsicality in the final weeks of the campaign, with Rice possessing both qualities.
West Ham want £100m for Rice (Credits: Getty Images)
And the Telegraph say Arsenal will submit an initial £92m bid for Rice in the hope that West Ham will accept.
The Hammers are keen to reinvest and avoiding a prolonged bidding war could help David Moyes get replacements in early in the window.
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But the Hammers are said to be seeking more than £100m and are unlikely to accept the Gunners’ first offer.
Granit Xhaka is set to leave the club and has agreed personal terms with Bayer Leverkusen in a £13m deal.
That paves the way for Rice to join and he’s said to be keen on a move to the Emirates.
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He’s being backed.
