Arsenal are making an improved £100m bid for Declan Rice after seeing first offer rejected by West Ham – but payment structure remains No 1 issue as City, United and Chelsea watch with interest
- Arsenal saw their opening bid of £80million plus add-ons rejected this week
- The Gunners remain confident of doing a deal though must agree full terms
- They are keen for a swift resolution with Manchester City also interested
Arsenal are making an improved offer of £100million for Declan Rice after seeing their first bid rejected by West Ham.
The Gunners have seen their original offer, worth £90million, for the Hammers skipper turned down – but a new package is imminent.
The rejected bid was worth £80million plus an extra £10m in performance related add-ons.
The new offer is expected to guarantee West Ham in the region of £90million plus extra payments that will take the total deal to £100million.
However, sources were indicting on Thursday that the total value of the bid isn’t the only remaining issue that requires ironing out before Rice can complete his move to the Emirates.
Arsenal are preparing an improved bid of £100million for Declan Rice this summer
Rice is currently away with England but is expected to leave West Ham this transfer window
Mikel Arteta’s side have made Rice their No 1 target and are confident a deal will be done
Mail Sport last week revealed that West Ham wanted the guaranteed part of the money for Rice to be paid in two instalments before 2025.
It is understood the payment structure Arsenal have proposed does not suit West Ham, with the Gunners looking to pay the money over a longer period of time.
It is also understood that Arsenal are willing to give West Ham first refusal on outgoing players later this summer. The Hammers have shown an interest in Eddie Nketiah in the past.
While Arsenal remain confident they will complete a deal for No 1 target Rice, their urgency to strike a deal has accelerated as it emerged Manchester City have an interest in the England midfielder and are considering a bid.
Sources have indicted that City’s interest is not as advanced as Arsenal’s. Manchester United and Chelsea also have an interest in Rice.
The mounting interest in the midfielder will suit West Ham chairman David Sullivan, who wants to trigger a bidding war for his prized assets. But Arsenal believe the 24-year-old’s preference is to join them.
The Gunners are keen to move quickly, however, with Manchester City also interested
