In a recent development, West Ham United has turned down Arsenal’s initial bid for the talented England midfielder, Declan Rice. Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, has expressed a keen interest in securing Rice’s services and has made him a priority in the club’s summer transfer dealings.
However, West Ham was far from impressed with Arsenal’s opening bid and has conveyed their dissatisfaction to the Gunners. As a result, Arsenal will need to raise their offer if they wish to pursue the 24-year-old midfielder. Sources within West Ham, cited by the BBC, have stated that they expect further communication from Arsenal regarding a revised bid. However, the Hammers are also keeping an eye out for potential offers from Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Manchester City has remained tight-lipped about their intentions regarding a move for Declan Rice. Uncertainty surrounds the futures of City’s captain, Ilkay Gundogan, and his teammate, Bernardo Silva, which adds to the speculation surrounding City’s interest in Rice.
West Ham’s chairman, David Sullivan, recently expressed his belief that Rice will depart the club this summer, stating that he is “99%” sure of the midfielder’s departure. Rice recently led the Hammers to victory in the Europa Conference League earlier this month, further enhancing his desirability among top clubs.
Since making his debut in the 2016-17 season, Rice has amassed an impressive record of 245 appearances and 15 goals for West Ham. Additionally, he has represented England on 41 occasions, including playing in all five matches during the previous World Cup.
While Rice has one year remaining on his current contract, West Ham holds the option to extend it until the summer of 2025. This places the club in a favorable position to negotiate a substantial transfer fee for the talented midfielder.
As negotiations progress, football enthusiasts eagerly await further developments in this transfer saga, which has the potential to shape the landscape of both West Ham United and Arsenal’s upcoming seasons.
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