Arsenal to table £90m Declan Rice as West Ham United demands emerge
Arsenal are preparing to table an £90million bid for West Ham United captain Declan Rice, according to The Daily Mail.
It’s believed the Gunners will submit an offer in the coming days, with David Sullivan valuing Rice at over £100million (Daily Mail, 8 June).
Rice has been celebrating West Ham’s Conference League victory but the race for his signature will soon be underway.
Arsenal are believed to be the front runners for Rice. It’s understood the Hammers want a guaranteed portion of the transfer fee to be paid by next summer.
No surprise
Rice’s future was always going to be thrust into the limelight as soon as the Conference League final was concluded. Amazingly, it’s taken under 24 hours for talk of a cash bid to emerge. Arsenal would seem like the most likely destination for the 24-year-old.
Chelsea have been long-term admirers, but the chaotic nature of Stamford Bridge at present is fairly unappealing for a player of Rice’s calibre. The West Ham captain will want to be playing Champions League football.
The Gunners are looking to kick on after their impressive Premier League campaign and adding a player of Rice’s quality would make Mikel Arteta’s side one of the favourites to compete with Manchester City again next season.
As for West Ham, it’s vitally important they replace the England international if he does depart. Funds will be available and with another season in Europe on the cards, David Moyes will need a big squad to choose from heading into the new campaign.