Arsenal have reportedly submitted an improved bid for top transfer target Declan Rice worth £105million. The Gunners face an intense battle with champions Manchester City for his signature.
According to David Ornstein of the Athletic, the offer includes a £100m initial fee plus £5m worth of add-ons. The Gunners had a club-record proposal worth up to £90million – £75m base fee plus an initial £15m – turned down by West Ham earlier this month.
It is understood that the Hammers value their skipper at £100million, which Arsenal have now matched as they look to steal a march on Manchester City, who maintain a keen interest in the player.
City entered the race for Rice this week with a formal offer of £80m plus £10m which was also rejected. Arsenal is said to be Rice’s preferred destination but he is also open to the possibility of joining the treble winners.
Either way, he is almost certain to be leaving London Stadium this summer. West Ham chairman David Sullivan admitted that the Europa Conference League final was likely to be Rice’s final game in the claret and blue.
He told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements. It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
“It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
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