Arsenal Transfers: Crucial days ahead in Declan Rice race

Look, we all knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

Arsenal’s interest in West Ham skipper Declan Rice as a priority summer target was first documented earlier this year, and supporters have since dreamed of the England international donning red and white in north London.

With Rice’s contract expiring in 2024 (although it could be extended by a further year), his departure at the end of the 2022/23 season, which culminated in the Hammers lifting the Europa Conference League trophy, has long been very much expected.

However, Arsenal were not the only horse in the race. Chelsea and Manchester United were touted with boasting an interest, while Bayern Munich flirted with the idea of bringing Rice to Bavaria. The German club, though, were deterred by Rice’s strong desire to remain in the Premier League and sign with the Gunners.

Manchester City’s increased interest, however, has complicated matters.

Crucial days ahead for Arsenal in Declan Rice race

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West Ham are looking for Jude Bellingham money this summer. When it’s all said and done, the midfielder’s move to Real Madrid could be worth £115m. The Hammers want at least £100m this summer for Rice, but Arsenal’s two bids thus far have fallen comfortably short of that valuation.

City, who have stepped up their interest following Ilkay Gundogan’s exit to Barcelona, also fell short of West Ham’s asking price with their first bid. They certainly didn’t blow Arsenal out of the water, as some expected, with their opening proposal reaching £90m (the same figure Arsenal reached with their second bid), including add-ons.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported City’s failed attempt to snag Rice on Tuesday morning, and the Gunners are now set to move ahead with a third bid. After failing with two, Arsenal are expected to all but match West Ham’s asking price. Then, the ball will be in the Citizens’ court.

The current scenario is ideal for the Hammers, who have wanted a bidding war all along. In the end, it’ll likely come down to the player’s preference, and while there’s been much talk of Rice being ‘sold’ by Mikel Arteta’s project, what Pep Guardiola’s got going on in Manchester is hardly unattractive.

It’s still anyone’s game, but these are now crucial days for Arsenal in the Rice race.