Declan Rice: West Ham braced for new bids in Arsenal and Man City battle amid £100m hope
The Gunners have already seen two offers rejected, while their title rivals are now formally set to enter the summer’s biggest transfer saga
est Ham are expecting bids from Arsenal and Manchester City, as they aim to receive at least £100million for captain Declan Rice.
Arsenal have already had two offers rejected for their No1 target Rice, the second of which was worth £90m. City have been monitoring the England midfielder’s situation and are now expected to make a formal approach.
Rice has expressed a preference to move to Arsenal, but City will hope he can be persuaded to move to the Etihad instead. Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners are in the market for midfielders after losing Ilkay Gundogan on a free to Barcelona.
City firming up their interest is good news for West Ham, who have been determined to receive at least £100m for their skipper.
The Hammers have not been in a rush to agree a sale and have waited for City to join Arsenal in the race. Manchester United are also interested, but are yet to make a concrete offer.
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West Ham will use the money from the sale of Rice to rebuild their midfield, and they are interested in Fulham’s Joao Palhinha.
The Hammers are also tracking Bristol City star Alex Scott, who is one of the most highly-rated young talents in the country and expected to earn a Premier League move this summer.
Bidding war: Arsenal and Manchester City are battling to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice
/ ES CompositeJuventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea, has emerged as another option.
Zakaria has been told he can leave Juve this summer and the Italian club are inviting clubs to bid for the 26-year-old.