West Ham issue quick response to Arsenal’s opening Declan Rice bid as Man City join the race
West Ham United swiftly rejected Arsenal’s initial offer for their team captain, Declan Rice. Rice, who is looking to play in the Champions League, is anticipated to depart the club during this summer transfer window.
However, West Ham is insisting on a substantial transfer fee for the 24-year-old. Arsenal is one of the main contenders in the race to sign the English midfielder, as Bayern Munich has decreased their interest in him.
It is anticipated that Arsenal will make a new attempt to sign Declan Rice, aiming to bring him together with several of his fellow national team players at the club. However, they may face competition from Manchester City, who are also interested in securing his signature.
Based on The Athletic’s information, Arsenal initiated contact with West Ham after a meeting between executive Tim Lewis and Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady. However, The Guardian reports that the initial approach made by Arsenal has been turned down by West Ham. According to the BBC, the Hammers are dissatisfied with the size or structure of the proposed deal.
Furthermore, The Athletic’s report suggests that Manchester City is actively exploring the possibility of making a bid for Rice. Pep Guardiola’s team had previously signed Rice’s England teammate Kalvin Phillips last summer, although Phillips had a challenging first season with the club.
Declan Rice’s current contract with West Ham is set to expire in 2024, with an option to extend it for an additional year. However, as the midfielder has shown no inclination to sign an extension, it is expected that the club will sell him during this summer transfer window.
Declan Rice played the entire duration of the match as West Ham emerged victorious against Fiorentina in Prague, securing the Europa Conference League title.
This achievement marked West Ham’s first trophy of the 21st century. However, following the game, owner David Sullivan strongly indicated that the club captain would depart during the upcoming summer transfer window, dropping his most significant hint yet regarding Rice’s potential departure.
“I think it has to be [his farewell game],” Sullivan told talkSPORT. “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.”
Following his successful campaign with West Ham in winning the Europa Conference League, Declan Rice joined the England national team for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.
As a member of the World Cup squad, Rice played the full 90 minutes in both of the initial qualifying matches in March, contributing a goal in the victory over Italy.
West Ham issue quick response to Arsenal’s opening Declan Rice bid as Man City join the race