Arsenal are preparing a structured £90million proposal for Declan Rice - but West Ham are adamant that their captain is worth more than that and will hold out for a higher sum.
Mikel Arteta is set to be handed a handsome summer transfer budget after steering the Gunners to a second place finish in the Premier League. The Spaniard is intent on bolstering his midfield options in the upcoming transfer window and Rice has emerged as the club's top target.
The Hammers are expected to give Rice the green light to leave the London Stadium this month providing his suitors are willing to meet their valuation of the 24-year-old. However, a fresh report has indicated that the offer Arsenal are currently preparing would not be deemed as satisfactory by their London rivals.
The Mail claim that the Gunners are willing to offer a structured deal worth around £90m overall, but Hammers boss David Moyes believes Rice is worth far more than that.
The report goes on to outline that West Ham believe they could pocket £120m if Manchester United enter the race for the England international, who has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football.
While United boss Erik ten Hag is believed to be an admirer of Rice, Mirror Football understands that the preference of the player would be a move to the Emirates if he does decide to leave West Ham this summer.
But Rice could be forced to consider a move elsewhere if Arsenal are unwilling to meet West Ham's demands.
Join the debate! Who do you think will win the race for Rice this summer: Arsenal or Man Utd? Let us know here.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's season finale, where Arsenal face Wolves, Arteta stressed that he was confident the club would be able to attract top players to the club after their remarkable season.
When he was asked to detail the Gunners' transfer approach, the Spaniard said: "By explaining who we are, how we do things, what we want from them, how we think they are going to fit in in our culture, in our club, and then trying to do the right thing as a club.
"Buying the right profile for the right amount of money that is going to fit what we are going to do, and in the end players and staff are going to make our car faster and more reliable to have a great season."
The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Brighton maestro Moises Caicedo, while Arteta is believed to be targeting reinforcements elsewhere in his squad. Arsenal's budget will be boosted after they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in six years.
