Arsenal have had their first bid for Declan Rice rejected out of hand by West Ham. The Gunners made their first formal offer for the England international earlier on Thursday, but it is thought that West Ham were unhappy with the proposal.
Arsenal were hopeful of paying a base fee of £80million across the course of six years with a potential further £10million in add-ons football.london understands. It is thought that West Ham would like more of the money up front, and that the Europa Conference League champions viewed the add on clauses as unrealistic.
Arsenal are expected to return with another bid for Rice, despite interest from other teams. Manchester City have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring for the 24-year-old while Chelsea and Manchester United have shown a desire to sign him. Bayern Munich however, are understood to have cooled their interest.
The Gunners, however, remain confident of getting a deal over the line, but sources at the club have indicated that it will ultimately be down to the player to decide where he goes. Rice is thought to be currently leaning towards a move to Arsenal having been thoroughly impressed by Mikel Arteta's project at the Emirates Stadium.
It has been confirmed that Rice will leave the London Stadium this summer after helping West Ham to secure Europa Conference League success. "We promised him he could go," Hammers owner David Sullivan said last week. "He set his heart on going. You can't ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement - or several replacements.
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"It's not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It's cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can't keep a player who doesn't want to be there."
Elsewhere Arsenal also hold an interest in Chelsea's Kai Havertz who is thought to be keen on the move. The Blues want £70million for Havertz though, which could be an issue, although sources have indicated that their could be some flexibility on this asking price given their need to sell players this summer.
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