Arsenal have been linked with Declan Rice throughout the summer transfer window with the the West Ham captain the club’s number one target ahead of next season.
Arsenal made an opening bid for Declan Rice about a week ago after multiple reports since January suggested they would make a move for the player. This bid was valued at £80 million which was rejected by West Ham in a couple of minutes.
Following this, it had been reported that Arsenal would make a second bid. This bid was submitted on 20th June as reported by David Ornstein from The Athletic. This bid was valued up to £90 million – £75m + £15m being in the form of add-ons. However, West Ham also rejected this bid from the Gunners stating that they wanted at least £100m for the England international.
Arsenal’s attempts to sign Declan Rice are being led by sporting director, Edu Gaspar and director of football operations, Richard Garlick. They are working hard to come to an agreement with West Ham over the transfer fee. However with two bids being rejected a lot of Arsenal fans are seemingly getting concerned with Manchester City set to enter the race.
Manchester City are preparing an opening bid for the West Ham captain which is set to be the same as Arsenal’s second offer of £75million upfront with £15million in add-ons. However City’s bid is set to be paid in two instalments of £37.5million over a year period, where as Arsenal’s was spread over five separate instalments. West Ham rejected the Gunners offer as they wanted more money upfront as well as a total package reaching £100million.
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Manchester City’s offer is closer to what West Ham are after if the 24-year-old is to leave the Hammers this summer. However Arsenal aren’t going to give up on their number one target that easily with a third bid set to be submitted for Declan Rice tomorrow. The Gunners are planning an improved bid where they will offer more money upfront as well as less instalments which Arsenal hope will be enough to get the deal over the line.
Arsenal are confident they will agree a fee for Declan Rice soon. [Image Credit: Getty Images]
It’s been reported Declan Rice ideally wants to stay in London which gives Arsenal the advantage over Manchester City in the race for the England international’s signature. As long as the Gunners can match whatever City offer West Ham, then it will go down to the players’ preference and it’s expected Declan Rice will choose to play under Mikel Arteta next season, over Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Arsenal are confident their third bid will be the one that closes the deal as they prepare an improved payment structure and more money upfront to offer West Ham.
A reason as to why Arsenal are making bids below West Ham’s demands could be that they are trying to reduce the overall price. Arsenal know the player only wants to move to the Emirates this summer which gives the Gunners the advantage when negotiating with West Ham.
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Arsenal have been linked with many big names in the past and have ended up missing out on the player. The latest example being Mykhaylo Mudryk in January. Arsenal had two bids rejected for the Ukrainian before Chelsea swooped in and stole the player. This is why so many Arsenal fans are nervous about the Rice situation.
However the Gunners also had two rejected bids from Manchester City for Gabriel Jesus before they ended up agreeing on a fee. The Brazilian rejected the likes of Chelsea, who had Champions League football to offer him, because he had his heart set on joining Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. The club are confident Declan Rice’s preference won’t change, which is why Arsenal are trying to get the best deal possible for their potential record signing.
Arsenal have been on an upward trajectory since Mikel Arteta took over as head coach. They even challenged league giants Manchester CIty in the 2022/23 season for the Premier League title which very few people predicted at the start of the campaign. It is very clear that the club is heading in the right direction which is why so many players are attracted to the North London outfit this summer.
Mikel Arteta is leading one of Europe’s most exciting projects and the Arsenal boss is confident Declan Rice will be a part of it at the Emirates Stadium next season. With many new long-term contract extensions being agreed, as well as new signings such as Champions League winner Kai Havertz, Arsenal are looking to push again for the Premier League title next season and hopefully this time go one step further.
Arsenal want Declan Rice and it seems like Rice wants Arsenal. The club are confident the deal will be wrapped up soon. The Gunners are also close to signing Jurrien Timber from Ajax and are keeping a close eye on Romeo Lavia from Southampton.
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