West Ham United transfer news: Major advance in £100m Declan Rice race due Wednesday amid Arsenal and Chelsea interest
West Ham expect the first bids for Declan Rice to arrive on Wednesday (7 June) immediately after the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, 90min reports.
If successful in the showpiece the Hammers captain could lift the first major European trophy at the club in 58 years and straight away be subject to official offers from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, both Manchester sides, and Bayern Munich.
West Ham have reportedly accepted a departure is likely but will refuse to sanction it unless their £100million valuation is met.
According to 90min: “The club expect bids for Rice to come in straight after Wednesday’s final, sources have confirmed to 90min, but it remains to be seen whether Arsenal, Chelsea or any other interested party are willing to immediately pay the price West Ham are looking for.”
Wild night
One way or another Wednesday is set to be a memorable one, and if Rice is on his way out the best way to see him go would be with a Conference League medal.
If the lasting image is of him lifting the trophy it would be a suitable send off for the Irons star, even if it is going to be painful.
It has been in the offing for so long now that plenty of West Ham supporters will have made their peace with the situation, and seeing the club hold firm for the fee they want will help with that.
As the 24-year-old is said to want the club adequately compensated for his exit he perhaps will be able to help make that happen.
While Bayern have emerged as a serious contender since the end of the season, and would seem by far the most palatable destination for the England star from a fans’ perspective, Rice staying in the Premier League still feels more likely.
Negotiations on personal terms have already been going on, but with the West Ham season set to end with the Fiorentina clash the multi-million pound offers aren’t set to start flying until after the final whistle.