West Ham United transfer news: Newcastle hold Declan Rice talks amid £100m Arsenal offer to outbid Manchester City
Newcastle are the latest club to emerge in the race to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice as Arsenal’s latest offer finally topped £100million, talkSPORT report.
After two rejected bids from the Emirates, and one from Manchester City, the Gunners broke the nine-figure barrier late on Tuesday night (27 June), with their third offer worth £100m guaranteed with a further £5m in add-ons.
They are widely believed to be the Irons star’s preferred option but he has reportedly also been in talks with Eddie Howe’s Magpies.
Reporting via Twitter on Tuesday night talkSPORT said: “Arsenal believe they will win the race for Declan Rice after submitting a British record offer worth £105m.
“The Gunners are confident their third bid for the England midfielder will see off compeition from Manchester City and be accepted by the Hammers.
“Rice, who has also held talks with Newcastle, has made it clear Arsenal are his preferred destination. Arsenal have offered a guaranteed £100m plus add-ons.”
Newcastle are financially on a different level since their takeover by the Saudi PIF but there is not yet any sign they have actually made a big-money bid.
Race
This is the first offer that will actually get West Ham’s attention, with the club having made clear they wanted over £100m for months and therefore rejecting the first three bids quickly.
It also makes it clear how much Arsenal want Rice, and they surely are still in the driver’s seat to actually get him at the end of this.
But it doesn’t mean the race is over, as Sky Sports have repeatedly reported £120m as the valuation at the London Stadium, and if the Hammers believe that is out there for them this summer they look like they will try to get it.
Newcastle are one of the few clubs in world football who have the finances to match even City now, although they regularly maintain their PPF considerations mean they will not spend huge money.
They are thought to be closing in on a £68.5m deal for AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali [BBC Sport, 23 June], so whether that rules them out of getting near the Irons’ desired price for Rice is unclear.
There is thought to still be a chance that Manchester United make an offer too, which is likely to include players, so while Arsenal and Manchester City remain the headline contenders for now, and Bayern Munich look to have exited stage-left, perhaps there is some way for this race to run yet.
In other West Ham news, a new update has emerged on the Hammers’ chances of signing a high-profile Manchester United figure this summer.