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West Ham United: Arsenal prepare £90million bid to seal Declan Rice transfer
Declan Rice is a top target for many European clubs this summer, and the West Ham captain is keen on continuing his career in the Premier League as Arsenal prepare their bid.
Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Arsenal are all interested in acquiring Rice’s signature this summer, with the Gunners emerging as the early favourites to land the 24-year-old, according to reports.
The Daily Mail has reported on 1 June that the midfielder is happy in London which provides an advantage to Arsenal in the race for Rice, with a £90m bid being readied.
Arsenal’s proposed offer is believed to be in the region of £90 million and is expected to be made after next Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final between West Ham and Fiorentina.
However, chairman David Sullivan may hold out for more, with his starting valuation of Rice believed to be past the £100million mark as he hopes for an auction.
West Ham may look to test Arsenal’s resolve with Rice currently Arteta’s number-one transfer target. The head coach has requested Rice as his first summer signing, as he looks for a replacement for Granit Xhaka, who is set to join Bayer Leverkusen ahead of next season.
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Where next for West Ham’s Rice?
It has become increasingly clear that Rice will not be lining up in a West Ham shirt next summer.
The club captain’s outstanding performances over the past few seasons have seen him attract attention from all over Europe, which would be hard for him to resist, despite his connection to West Ham.
With interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United, David Sullivan may be hopeful of a bidding war breaking out between the two clubs, which may push one of them closer to his £100 million valuation.
He is a player clearly in demand and that can only play into the hands of his current club when it comes to their selling power.
As for Rice himself, he won’t be letting the transfer talk distract him from the fact that there is a European final on the horizon, and a chance to lift a trophy as West Ham captain.
This opportunity presents the midfielder a chance to cement himself as one of the greatest players to ever pull on a shirt for the Hammers while ending his time with his boyhood club on the highest of highs.