Sky Sports source shares ’embarrassing’ twist in Declan Rice exit saga at West Ham United
A source has described Arsenal’s opening offer to West Ham United for Declan Rice and the way it was structured as “embarrassing”, according to Sky Sports.
Rice is expected to leave the club this summer with Arsenal the frontrunner for his signature and the Gunners had a formal first bid rejected [Sky Sports, 15 June] but are expected to return with another in the coming days.
It is thought that Arsenal’s opening bid stood at around £80m plus add-ons, but West Ham have made it clear that Rice’s valuation remains at £120m but it is understood the club would accept £100m plus a player.
Rice is clearly Mikel Arteta’s priority in the transfer window but according to Sky Sports [15 June, 2:02pm] One source close to negotiations has described the way in which Arsenal’s offer was structured as “embarrassing”.
The Gunners will have to improve the value and structure of their offer significantly if they want to sign Rice.
Stand firm
It seems as if the race for Rice’s signature is intensifying after Arsenal’s opening offer but it is certainly nice to see West Ham United standing firm in their £100m-plus valuation of the midfielder.
The Hammers will not want to be lowballed into a sale for Rice, and considering the going-rate for world-class midfielders in the current market, anything less than £100m for the England international should indeed be deemed “embarrassing”.
West Ham United also have themselves and their immediate future to think about in any potential which is why they must stand firm in their stance of Rice’s valuation as £100m sum could prove a telling difference as Moyes looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new campaign.
If Arsenal are to have any bid accepted they’ve got to match that valuation or offer a player or two plus cash for the Hammers to consider. With Manchester City now considering joining the race also, West Ham United may well be laughing to the bank in a few weeks’ time. A bidding war for their prized asset is just what they want.