Arsenal could have their work cut out this summer as they face strong competition from other Premier League clubs for Declan Rice, according to reports.
Rice has attracted interest from a number of clubs following his impressive performances for club and country over the past few campaigns,
The West Ham midfielder helped the club win the Europa Conference League this season and it’s likely he will now go on to fulfill his dream of playing in the Champions League next season at another club.
Arsenal put their cards on the table with The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reporting on Thursday that Arsenal have made their first offer for Rice.
Sky Sports released a further report this afternoon claiming that the bid of £80m plus add-ons has been rejected by West Ham but that the Gunners will make their second bid soon.
And now the Daily Telegraph have provided an update with the newspaper declaring the race for Rice’s signature has now ‘exploded with a second “top club” expected to bid for the midfielder in the next 24 hours after an opening offer from Arsenal was rejected’.
As reported by Ornstein earlier in the day, Manchester City are one of the clubs interested in signing Rice but the Telegraph insists it is ‘unclear’ whether the Citizens are the club set to make an offer.
The Treble winners see Rice as a ‘strong option’ this summer, while fellow Premier League side Chelsea ‘remain in contention’ and have asked the Hammers ‘to wait as they try to move players on before buying’.
And Manchester United ‘have registered their interest although that appears to depend on the outcome of their takeover battle’ with the battle for ownership still ongoing between Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim.
West Ham ‘will be delighted’ at the involvement of City and other clubs as they look to ‘drive up the price’ for Rice with one source telling the Telegraph that “the market will decide” his final price.
Hammers coach Kevin Nolan thinks there is still a lot more to come from Rice with spectators yet to see his full potential in an attacking role.
Nolan said on talkSPORT: “Mr Chairman said it, Dec has given everything to this club and he’s been phenomenal and our best player for the last three seasons by a country mile. He’s been the best player in the European competitions by a mile.
“Everyone at the club sort of knows it’s coming to an end. Do I want it to end? Not a chance in a million years.
“Knowing the kid, knowing his family and everybody around him but I know he’s sitting there thinking he loves West Ham and what he’s given and what they’ve given him but hand on heart he’s got to go and play in the Champions League week in, week out.
“I don’t want to lose him, I’d never want to lose him. The way he drives things every day in training…
“I’ll never say this lightly, he’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Steven Gerrard on a football pitch. In terms of all his key attributes and I feel there’s still loads still to unravel.
“I’m not saying he is Steven Gerrard but the way he can just glide past players – one minute he’s there, the next minute he’s gone. The way he can play a defensive role and then move into an attacking role, we haven’t seen that part of him yet.”
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