Manchester City have entered the race to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Rice has been a long-term target for Arsenal and the Gunners submitted two bids in the past two weeks but West Ham rejected them saying they did not meet the player’s asking price.
Manchester City have been monitoring the situation from the sidelines but they have now started actively negotiating for the Rice transfer with West Ham, with a formal offer lodged a few hours ago.
According to The Athletic, Manchester City’s total package to West Ham is £90 million. This is the same amount Arsenal proposed in their last rejected bid, but Manchester City’s payment structure is £80 million upfront and £10 million in add-ons yet Arsenal’s was £75 million upfront and £15 million in add-ons.
Now that Man City have entered the race, Arsenal are expected to submit a third improved offer for Rice in the coming days as they continue their pursuit of the 24-year-old English star. It has been widely reported that Rice’s preferred destination is Arsenal as he is convinced of Mikel Arteta’s “project” in North London.
Rice’s contract at West Ham expires in 2024, with an option for a one-year extension but he has a gentleman’s agreement with the club’s bosses to let him go this summer once a decent offer comes in.
After winning the UEFA Europa Conference League early this month, West Ham chairman David Sullivan said that he expected the England international to have played his last game for the club, adding that he “wanted to go”.
Rice has made 245 appearances for West Ham since making his debut in 2017.
