Arsenal to table a THIRD bid for Declan Rice
The Irons are reportedly preparing themselves to receive a third bid from Arsenal for captain Declan Rice.
The Gunners have failed with a pair of £75m and £90m bids for the 24-year-old, whose contract at the London Stadium expires next summer.
Arsenal’s latest offer would have seen West Ham receive £75m up front with £15m in performance-related add-ons, but the Hammers are still demanding as much as £100m to sanction a sale.
With Arsenal dragging their heels, Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Rice and are said to be preparing a formal bid for the former Chelsea academy product.
While Arsenal cannot compete with the Citizens’ financial muscle, the Gunners are still hopeful of winning the race for their number one target, who has earmarked the Emirates as his preferred destination.
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham believe that a third Arsenal bid for Rice is now imminent, and the Gunners are aware that they will have to finally breach the £100m mark to ensure success.
The report adds that West Ham want the long-running saga to be resolved imminently, with any funds raised from the sale of Rice expected to be used on a big-money replacement.
Arsenal have supposedly been pressed into action after learning of Man City’s intention to make a formal bid, but the treble-winners are not thought to have made their move just yet.
A player-plus-cash deal with Manchester United involving Scott McTominay or Harry Maguire has also been mooted, but Rice is not thought to be a priority target for Erik ten Hag while they try to solve their striker conundrum.
Man United’s glacial takeover process is also hindering their ability to make early moves in the transfer window, apparently leaving Ten Hag furious as Arsenal and Man City go head-to-head for Rice’s signature.