The battle to sign Declan Rice has exploded with claims that two more “top clubs” are expected to bid for the midfielder in the next 24 hours after an opening offer from Arsenal was rejected.
It is unclear who the clubs that West Ham United expect to make an offer are but sources have confirmed that Manchester City regard the England international as a “strong option” and are very interested in signing him.
Arsenal are due to make a second offer, as early as Friday, which could amount to £100 million. Their initial offer of £80million plus £10million on add-ons was immediately turned down with sources suggesting this was not just because it was deemed too low. There appears to be an issue with Arsenal’s payment schedule.
West Ham want the full amount paid more quickly while despite the rebuff Arsenal remain firm favourites to sign the 24-year-old.
Chelsea are also in contention – but are believed to be less likely to bid - having asked West Ham to wait as they try and move players on before buying. Similarly Manchester United have registered their interest although that appears to depend on the outcome of their takeover battle.
It means that West Ham are in no rush to sell their captain even though there is an agreement with him that he can leave this summer. “The market will decide,” one source said on how much Rice will eventually cost.
Rice is Arsenal’s top target
West Ham will be delighted at City’s involvement and, potentially, that of United and Chelsea and possibly other clubs as it will surely drive up the price for Rice and not simply give Arsenal a clear run.
Arsenal made Rice their priority transfer targetand want to move as quickly as possible this summer in order to sign him before the start of pre-season.
Talks with West Ham have been ongoing since the end of the club campaign and Rice is understood to be happy with the move. Personal terms are not an issue.
A source confirmed that City regard Rice as a “strong option” especially having missed out on Jude Bellingham who was presented on Thursday lunchtime as a Real Madrid player – where he will wear the No 5 shirt after agreeing a six-year contract - in a deal that could rise to £115million.
West Ham have been keen to ‘benchmark’ the fee they receive for Rice against the cost of signing Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund will receive an initial £88.1million with the rest made up of add-ons, many of which are easily achievable.
West Ham have not set an actual firm asking price and are waiting to see what offers are made. The fee for Rice would not be beyond the reach of City, whose financial firepower has beenfurther boosted by a near-£300 million windfallas a result of their extraordinary Treble.
At City there is uncertainty over the future of key midfielders Ilkay Gundogan, who is wanted by Arsenal and Barcelona, and Bernardo Silva, who is attracting interest from Paris St-Germain. PSG are trying to tempt City in a player-plus-cash deal.
City move would raise Phillips questions
City are already in talks with Chelsea over Mateo Kovacic and are still hoping that Gundogan will commit to a new deal. Rice is a player who City have looked at previously, without ever formally pursuing a move.
Any new addition to the City midfield would raise more questions over the future of Kalvin Phillips, but the England international is understood to be keen to stay at City.
Rice has been Arsenal’s top midfield target for months and the club have been confident of securing his signature this summer. If they miss out on him it will be a serious blow for manager Mikel Arteta.
Discussions between the two clubs were ramped up followingthe Europa Conference League final last weekand West Ham have accepted that Rice will be leaving before the start of the new season.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan said last week that Rice’s “heart is set” on a transfer this summer and added that “three or four” clubs had shown an interest.
Sullivan said Rice, who has one year left on his current deal with the option of a further 12 months, had rejected a £200,000-a-week contract extension 18 months ago.
West Ham want Barnes, Ward-Prowse and Alvarez
Bayern Munich have been considering making an approach to West Ham but they have fallen out of the running due to an expectation that Rice wants to remain in the Premier League and will be joining Arsenal.
West Ham want to spend the Rice windfall on Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes and midfielders James Ward-Prowse, who will leave Southampton, and Ajax’s Edson Alvarez.
The club is also in the process of deciding whether to hire a new technical director. A final decision is expected in the next few days now that it has been decided David Moyes will carry on as manager.
West Ham have considered up to 20 candidates including Roma’s Tiago Pinto, Brentford’s Lee Dykes, Paul Mitchell, who is leaving Monaco, and former Bayer Leverkusen chief Tim Steidten. Steidten’s chances are placed at “50-50” and he would appear the favourite, at present, should an appointment be made.
