West Ham United directors laugh at Arsenal over ‘ridiculous’ decision in Declan Rice transfer saga
Arsenal’s futile attempts to sign Declan Rice so far this summer have led to laughter in the West Ham boardroom, according to Claret & Hugh.
The Hammers news website reported on Tuesday (27 June) that from day one, the Irons have made it clear that want between £110million and £120million for their 24-year-old captain.
Arsenal’s latest bid for Rice was rejected out of hand by David Sullivan and club insiders have reportedly said that the extras offered by the Gunners are “ridiculous”.
Claret & Hugh claims that Arsenal offered extra payments should they win the Premier League and the Champions League in the next five years.
It is understood that those add-ons “brought guffaws of laughter from Hammers directors”.
Ridiculous, indeed
Arsenal bottled the Premier League title race last season and have barely played in the Champions League in recent years.
Why on earth would they think West Ham see that offer as acceptable?
If you’re going to throw in clauses, bonuses and add-ons, they need to be realistic.
Why don’t the Gunners offer in something based on Rice’s international exploits with England or a silverware-based clause that becomes active if they win the Carabao Cup or FA Cup?
No one is buying for one moment that Arsenal are winning the Champions League in the next five years. Based on the evidence from last season, Manchester City might win every title going between now and 2028.
Rice is leaving this summer, there are no two ways about it, unfortunately.
West Ham are sticking to their guns here and rightly so.
Arsenal will eventually give in and offer the right amount so it’s frustrating to see them wasting everyone’s time here when we all just want to get on with it this summer.
In other West Ham news, more verbal offers have been made for Rice.