Arsenal are determined to beat Manchester City to Declan Rice (Pictures: Getty)
Arsenal have tonight submitted a massive offer worth up to £105m for West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice.
The Gunners are determined to beat Manchester City to the Hammers captain and secure a huge summer signing for manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal, who finished as Premier League runners-up last season, were believed to be leading the race to sign Rice but two rejected bids from West Ham opened the door to Man City, who pipped Arteta’s side to the title.
Manchester City made their first £90m offer for the 24-year-old on Monday evening but that too was knocked back as West Ham hold out for at least £100m.
Arsenal appear to have approached West Ham with a decisive bid as The Athletic say a stunning offer worth £105m has now been placed on the table.
The Gunners have told West Ham they will pay an initial fee of £100m and an extra £5m in add-ons, though it remains to be seen whether the Hammers are happy with the payment structures and finer details of the deal.
If accepted, Rice would become the most expensive British player in history, surpassing Jack Grealish who cost £100m when he moved from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021.
Manchester City could miss out on the England star (Picture: Getty)
Despite the substantial interest from Champions League holders and treble-winners Man City, Rice is said to favour a move to Arsenal as he has been impressed by Arteta’s project and is settled in London.
Rice joined West Ham at the age of 15 and has gone on to make 245 first-team appearances for the club.
He is not only the most influential player in east London but a key member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, having featured heavily at last year’s World Cup and Euro 2020.
Rice captained West Ham throughout the 2022-23 campaign, helping the Hammers secure their Premier League status and win the Europa Conference League – the club’s first major trophy in more than 40 years.
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