West Ham United have turned down Arsenal’s initial bid of £80 million for their star midfielder and captain Declan Rice.
It appears that Arsenal is undeterred by the rejection and is preparing to submit an improved offer in the region of £100 million.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has identified Rice as one of his primary transfer targets for the upcoming season.
The rumour mill had suggested that a deal between the two clubs was on the verge of completion.
However, it seems that the initial bid did not meet the expectations of the Hammers, as it included several clauses that did not impress them.
Declan Rice GATECRASHES West Ham dressing room after FA Youth Cup victory
While West Ham has not commented officially on the situation, sources within the club have hinted that they expect further communication from Arsenal.
At the same time, they are also anticipating an offer from Manchester City, although City have refrained from making any comments regarding their interest in Rice.
Arsenal's second bid for Declan Rice is expected to be over £100m, with Man City also monitoring the midfielder. 🔴⬆️pic.twitter.com/lWgZLOHA73
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 16, 2023
The uncertainty surrounding the futures of Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan and his teammate Bernardo Silva could potentially lead their manager, Pep Guardiola, to delve into the transfer market.
This situation adds an additional layer of complexity to Rice’s potential transfer, as City’s involvement could spark a bidding war between the two Premier League giants.
West Ham’s chairman, David Sullivan, has recently expressed his belief that Rice’s departure from the club this summer is highly likely, stating he is “99%” sure of it.
Rice, who recently captained the Hammers to victory in the Europa Conference League, has been an instrumental figure for West Ham, accumulating 245 appearances and scoring 15 goals since making his debut in the 2016-17 season.
In addition to his club contributions, Rice has also made a significant impact on the international stage, earning 41 caps for the England national team.
He was a key player in their campaign during the previous World Cup, featuring in all five matches.
Rice’s contract with West Ham is set to expire next year, although the club holds the option to extend it until the summer of 2025.
