Your morning Arsenal transfer roundup on Friday, June 16.
Arsenal preparing £100m bid for Declan Rice
Arsenal are preparing to submit an improved offer to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice. The Gunners had their first bid for Rice rejected out of hand by the Hammers.
Arsenal made their first formal offer for the England international earlier today, but it is thought that West Ham were unhappy with the proposal. The north Londoners were hopeful of paying a base fee of £80million over six years with a further £10million potentially available 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. It now seems Arsenal are ready to return with a £100million bid for Rice, despite interest from other teams, according to The Daily Mail.
However, the report adds that the total value of the bid isn’t the only remaining issue that requires ironing out before Rice can complete his move to the Emirates Stadium. It is understood the payment structure Arsenal have proposed does not suit West Ham, with the Gunners looking to pay the money over a longer period of time.
READ MORE: Arsenal have already completed the first step for stunning Declan Rice transfer unveiling video
West Ham set Declan Rice transfer wish
Arsenal have had an opening bid for West Ham captain Declan Rice rejected with a value understood by football.london to be £80million guaranteed with at least £10million in add-ons. Manchester City are considering a potential move for the England international despite the Gunners firmly leading the race for Rice's signature.
The Hammers are open to selling the 24-year-old ahead of next season but are holding out for a fee in the region of £100million. Rice is entering the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium with West Ham having the option to extend his deal by a further year.
David Moyes will need to sign a replacement for his captain ahead of next season and the Scotsman seems to have a clear preference as to where Rice moves to this summer. According to The Sun, Moyes wants Rice to join Chelsea so that the Hammers can sign Conor Gallagher as part of any deal in return.
The report states that Rice has no willingness to rejoin the Blues, who released him as a youth player, as he has his mind made up about joining Mikel Arteta’s project at the Emirates Stadium. The England international is said to prefer to stay in London, but City may also have a player of interest to West Ham if they look to step up their interest in the 24-year-old midfielder.
Arteta can sign his own 'Robin van Persie'
Arsenal hold an interest in Chelsea star Kai Havertz, football.london understands. Chelsea are understood to want around £70million for the German international who has two years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad considerably this summer as Mikel Arteta seeks to form a squad capable of competing in both the Premier League and Champions League. Havertz is viewed as a player who could help with this, but his price tag could be an issue for Arsenal despite the 24-year-old being open to the idea of moving to the Emirates Stadium.
Reports this week have suggested that Havertz has given Arsenal the green light to contact him over a potential move to north London. However, official talks are yet to begin between the two London rivals.
Havertz has shown no indication that he would be keen on signing a new deal with the Blues, but he will not push for an exit at Stamford Bridge this summer - as things stand. However, glowing praise from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry for Havertz could convince the Gunners to push for an agreement.
The French icon compared Havertz to Robin van Persie following Chelsea's win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League earlier this season. "I thought he was good on the first goal you could see held the ball ever so well," Henry told CBS Sports.
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