Declan Rice’s first offer from Arsenal has reportedly been rejected by West Ham United
After an initial offer from Arsenal was turned down, the battle to sign Declan Rice has erupted, with a second “top club” likely to make a proposal for the midfielder within the next 24 hours.
West Ham's valuation of Declan Rice remains £120m 💰
One source has described the structure of Arsenal's opening bid as 'embarrassing' 🔴❌ pic.twitter.com/49CeBwiDl6
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 15, 2023
Due to Rice’s desire to play in the Champions League, West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan and head coach David Moyes have both acknowledged that Rice will probably leave this summer.
Arsenal are said to be the favorites to sign the 24-year-old in the current window despite interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, the latter of which has since withdrew.
The team of Mikel Arteta is thought to have already reached a personal agreement with Rice, who was reportedly close to signing with them for a club-record £100 million transfer fee.
The Daily Mail reports that the opening offer from the Gunners has been rejected. They waited until after West Ham’s Europa Conference League championship game to make their approach.
According to the source, Arsenal made a bid of £80 million with an additional £10 million in add-ons, but West Ham thinks Rice is worth up to £110 million despite his contractual predicament.
During the most recent annual general meeting (AGM) of Premier League teams, Tim Lewis, the head of Arsenal, and Karren Brady, the vice-chairman of West Ham, reportedly discussed a proposal. Arsenal will return with an improved offer.
Rice is rumored to have chosen Arsenal as his preferred location for a summer transfer since the Gunners can provide him with Champions League football and the opportunity to stay in London.
West Ham will welcome offers from the English champions in the hopes of starting a bidding war in which Arsenal are unwilling to participate, although Manchester City are reportedly now emerging as serious rivals for Rice’s signing.
Since graduating from West Ham’s development academy, Rice has made 245 appearances for the club and has accumulated 15 goals and 13 assists, including five goals and four assists from last season’s 50 appearances.
Granit Xhaka might leave the Emirates if the England international moves there, as Bayer Leverkusen is rumored to be close to finalizing a £13 million deal to sign the Swiss international.
However, Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga’s futures are also in doubt, and Arsenal will not approve Xhaka’s departure without first finding a successor.
At the end of the month, Ilkay Gundogan may leave Man City on a free transfer, and Bernardo Silva may also be leaving the Citizens, according to reports.
Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea is rumored to be close to moving to the Etihad, but Jude Bellingham, whose arrival to the Bernabeu was revealed by Los Blancos on Wednesday, chose Real Madrid over City.
Barnes, Ward-Prowse, and Alvarez are wanted by West Ham
Bayern Munich had been thinking about contacting West Ham, but they are no longer in the running because it is believed that Rice wants to stay in the Premier League and will sign with Arsenal.
West Ham plans to use the Rice windfall to sign midfielders Harvey Barnes of Leicester City, James Ward-Prowse of Southampton, and Edson Alvarez of Ajax.
Additionally, the club is debating whether to bring on a new technical director. Now that David Moyes’ future as manager has been decided, a final choice is anticipated in the coming days.
Up to 20 individuals, including Tiago Pinto of Roma, Lee Dykes of Brentford, Paul Mitchell of Monaco, and Tim Steidten of former Bayer Leverkusen, have been under consideration by West Ham. If an appointment were to be made, Steidten would currently seem to be the favorite given that his odds are listed as “50-50”.