Arsenal and Declan Rice: Gunners are expected to make a formal bid
The party holding out for a £120 million fee has rejected Arsenal’s initial offer for Declan Rice, which consisted of £80 million plus potential add-ons. The structure of Arsenal’s offer would have involved delayed instalment payments and stringent conditions. However, there are indications that Arsenal may make a renewed bid for Declan Rice.
Reports suggest that West Ham United would consider an offer of £100 million plus a player as acceptable.
Arsenal is demonstrating a willingness to surpass their previous transfer record of £72 million, which they spent on Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019, in order to secure the services of Declan Rice. Manchester City and Manchester United have also expressed interest in the 24-year-old midfielder.
Given Arsenal's first offer for Rice was reported to be £80m + £10m add-ons, I like that we've gone back with £75m + £15m.
— Andrew Allen (@AAllenSport) June 20, 2023
Have some of that West Ham.
Throughout his professional career, Rice has been associated exclusively with West Ham United, and he assumed the role of captain from Mark Noble earlier this year.
In the previous January transfer window, Arsenal made offers for Moises Caicedo of Brighton but eventually signed Jorginho from local rivals Chelsea. Nonetheless, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who heavily relied on Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka, and Thomas Partey in midfield last season, remains keen to strengthen that area of the team.
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