Manchester City are expected to make an opening offer for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice on Thursday.
Arsenal had a club-record proposal worth up to £90million (comprising a £75m fee and £15m in add-ons) turned down by their Premier League rivals earlier this week, but it is believed Arsenal are getting closer to a fee that West Ham are aiming to achieve if their captain is to depart.
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The Athletic reported earlier this month that Premier League champions City were also actively exploring an approach of their own for the 24-year-old, which they are now set to follow with an official bid.
City are already set to complete a deal for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic imminently with Barcelona closing in on a move for Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer.
Rice remains Arsenal’s main target this summer, with Mikel Arteta prioritising midfield reinforcements.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan said after the club’s Europa Conference League triumph that he expected Rice to have played his last game for the club, adding that he “wanted to go”.
Rice’s contract at West Ham expires in 2024, with an option for a one-year extension.
He has made 245 appearances for West Ham since making his debut in 2017.
GO DEEPER
Declan Rice’s future: Who out of Arsenal or Manchester City would better suit him?
Why is Declan Rice in demand?
Analysis by JJ Bull
Rice is one of the best players in Europe at breaking up opposition attacks. He can win the ball back, but then he carries it up the pitch, turning defensive play into an attacking one.
His reading of the game is top level — it seems innate — that’s what he does really well: anticipation, timing, decision-making.
West Ham often play a 4-2-3-1 and Rice is one of their two midfielders, often alongside Tomas Soucek. He is the one who forms a defensive triangle to build up from the back and is always available to receive the pass.
But breaking up play is where his real strength lies, by patrolling the midfield so no counter-attacks can break through.
(Photo: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
