Arsenal could hold first Declan Rice talks with West Ham at a Premier League chief executives meeting THIS WEEK as the Gunners look to wrap up £90m deal for the England midfielder
A Premier League chief executives meeting could prove the setting for Arsenal‘s talks with West Ham over Declan Rice this week.
West Ham manager David Moyes is understood to have had a convivial meeting with David Sullivan on Friday to discuss his role and the club’s state of play with discussions still ongoing over a technical director being appointed.
Rice’s sale price will play a major part in their final budget. West Ham’s recruitment department are still going over plans and deals for prospective targets such as James Ward-Prowse and Harvey Barnes are likely to be agreed later in the summer.
Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson has agreed new four year contract despite offers from Aston Villa and Brighton.
Following West Ham’s victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, chairman David Sullivan confirmed that Rice will be allowed to leave this summer.
Arsenal could hold talks with West Ham over Declan Rice at a Premier League meeting this week
David Sullivan admitted Rice is likely to leave following the Europa Conference League final
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is eager to sign Rice to bolster his side’s options in midfield
Speaking on talkSPORT, Sullivan said: ‘I think it has to be [his last game]. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
‘You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.
‘It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
‘It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.’
West Ham value Rice at over £100million, with Arsenal prepared to launch a £90million bid.
Mail Sport has learned that the Hammers want the guaranteed portion of Rice’s transfer fee paid by next summer.
The midfielder has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
West Ham could use the sale of Rice to help fund a move for James Ward-Prowse
Leicester winger Harvey Barnes is another player who is being tracked by West Ham
Arsenal are eager to sign RIce, with Mikel Arteta’s side aiming to push on further after finishing second in the Premier League this season.
RIce has made 245 appearances for West Ham since making his senior debut in 2017.
