Arsenal and West Ham United cannot come to an agreement over the transfer of Declan Rice as the Hammers have rejected the Gunners’ second bid.
The North London side has seemingly settled on Declan Rice after chasing Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo for the better part of the season. Their failure to land the young Ecuadorian midfielder has given them cause to go after another highly sought after Premier League midfielder in Rice, who is fresh off an European victory.
Rice played a key role in West Ham’s win in the 2022/23 UEFA European Conference League. The Hammers are not willing to sell the England Three Lions international, who still has some time left on his contract.
They are dealing with Arsenal while trying to convince the former Chelsea academy youth to extend his stay at the London Stadium. Rice, meanwhile, is looking for bigger challenges and Jack Grealish’s story seems to serve as an inspiration for him.
West Ham’s £150 million price tag is the roadblock to his exit at the moment as reports now claim that Arsenal’s £90 million (£75 million plus £15 million in add-ons) bid – their second since they made contact with the club over the signing of the midfielder – has been rejected.
It is now painfully obvious that West Ham do not intend to let the midfielder go at all and if he does, it will not come cheap.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have all but abandoned their Caicedo option with Chelsea having the upper hand in that chase. There seems to be a sort of compromise as both the Gunners and the Blues were interested in Rice.
Reports also claim that Arsenal are also looking for a way out for Thomas Partey in order to slot Rice into the position that the Ghana international’s exit will open up. Meanwhile, they will continue to seek out solutions to their Rice pursuit with the main one being a third bid which they hope can soften the Hammers’ stance.
Arsenal, who have now seen an £80 million and a £90 million bid rejected, will be making a £100 million (£90 million plus add-ons worth up to £10 million) bid for Rice soon. The Gunners will have to work hard and fast, however, as Manchester City is weighing up a move for Rice.
Further reports indicate that Arsenal have identified Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia as another target but £50 million stands in their way of signing the 19-year-old Belgian, who is also wanted by Chelsea and Liverpool.
