Manchester City “make formal offer of £80m plus £10m add-ons for West Ham star Declan Rice”
Arsenal will make a third bid for Declan Rice from Manchester City within 48 hours, finally making their £90m bid official for the West Ham captain.
Arsenal will be quick to respond with charm to their £90m bid rejected in the last week, although the upcoming proposal will not be a direct response to City’s bid.
City’s offer includes £80m guaranteed, plus an additional £10m.
The bid comes on top of Arsenal’s previously rejected £75m guaranteed offer, plus an extra £15m in bonuses.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham will accept City’s offer, however the offer will focus on Arsenal’s efforts to signal that Rice is Mikel Arteta’s #1 target.
Manchester City have duly delivered £80m plus £10m in add-ons for Declan Rice.
City manager Pep Guardiola (L) is set to beat Mikel Arteta (R) to the signing of Rice.
West Ham Rice is appropriately valued at £100m, which City have been unable to meet.
And indications from Monday night were that West Ham were planning to reject City’s delivery.
Sources claim Arsenal’s third offer will be closer to the Hammers’ £100m valuation.
The fee structure additionally appears as an element with the hammers wanting part of the rice compensation to be paid out in two installments earlier than 2025.
Rice was heavily linked with Arsenal earlier than the start of the transfer window, however, a deal has yet to be completed.
Meanwhile, City have missed out on Ilkay Gundogan and Barcelona confirmed on Monday that they have signed the Germany international on a two-year deal.
City are closing in on a £25million deal for Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic but want to signal for Rice.
Chelsea’s Kai Haverth is on the verge of joining Arsenal and will partner Rice in midfield if he opts to sign for the Gunners.
City want reinforcements in midfield after losing Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona this week
Rice’s vast knowledge of the Premier League – he has made over 200 appearances in the division – makes him a great proposition, as does the fact that at 24, he has time to further improve his aspect.
Additionally, Arsenal are closing in on a £65m signing for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz.
Mikel Arteta’s staff have additionally delivered 41.5 million kilograms to Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
However, they are primarily looking to target Rice as part of their midfield assessment this summer, with Granit Xhaka set to leave for Bayer Leverkusen, while Thomas Partey could also leave.
Arteta sees Rice as possible next Arsenal captain.
If Arsenal can’t signal for Rice, Monaco midfielder Youssuf Fofana could be another option.
