Arteta wants ‘swift’ deal with Arsenal to ‘bid £90m’ for Rice as West Ham prepare ‘tricky’ demands

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16 November 2024, 20:16 yayınlandı

According to reports, Arsenal are preparing their opening offer for Declan Rice after West Ham’s season ended with success in the Europa Conference League final.

Rice is boss Mikel Arteta’s number-one target and is hoping to make the England midfielder his first signing of the summer.

The 24-year-old is expected to leave West Ham and if he does, he will depart on the highest of all highs after captaining the Irons to a European trophy.

David Moyes’ side were crowned Conference League winners on Wednesday evening after a dramatic 2-1 win against Italian outfit Fiorentina, meaning they will be in the Europa League next term.

Rice’s goal is to play in the Champions League, however, and he will be given the opportunity to do so at Arsenal.

It has been widely reported that the Gunners would not open talks with West Ham until after the Conference League final, and reports on Thursday morning say the north Londoners are now ready to make their move.

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are aiming for a ‘swift’ conclusion to their pursuit of Rice and are expected to pay £90million for the West Ham skipper.

An opening offer is expected to be made ‘in the coming days’, though Hammers chairman David Sullivan apparently values Rice at more than £100m.

Despite interest from Manchester United, the report states the Gunners believe they are the ‘frontrunners’ for the player’s signature but will have to pay the ‘guaranteed portion’ of any transfer fee by ‘next summer’.

These ‘tricky’ demands come down to the fact West Ham were placed on UEFA’s financial fair play watchlist last September and Sullivan knows this will help the club comfortably dodge any breaches.

The report adds that Rice’s preference is to remain in England amid interest from Bayern Munich.

In another boost to Arsenal, he would also rather stay in London, which gives them the edge over United, who are prioritising the signing of a new striker.

Erik ten Hag needs a striker first and foremost and the club want to sign Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who would cost north of £100m, and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, who will not be sold for anything less than £55m.

It is noted that Arsenal are completely focusing on the signing of Rice and will not make any ‘final decisions’ on their other targets until an agreement is reached with the Englishman.

The Gunners want a new centre-back, the report claims, but will not know what target to pursue until a fee is agreed with their London rivals.

Following West Ham’s win against Fiorentina in the Conference League final in Prague, .

“It’s not a goodbye yet,” Rice told BT Sport. “Look at the moment there’s a lot of speculation about my future.

“There is interest from other clubs, that’s out there, but ultimately I’ve still got two years left at West Ham (one year plus option).

“There hasn’t been nothing yet (offers). Let’s wait and see, who knows.

“I love every minute of it here, you can see the smile on my face. It’s not about that tonight, it’s about celebrating and that’s what I’m going to do now.”