Declan Rice expected to join Arsenal by the end of the month, with the Gunners and West Ham still negotiating a fee.
After several impressive years with the Hammers, the England midfielder has long been expected to leave this summer, and the north Londoners presently lead the hunt for his signature. Rice concluded the season at West Ham, winning the European Cup in what may be the perfect swan song.
He’s already on vacation, but the Daily Mail believes that he expects to be an Arsenal player by the end of June. Personal terms are believed to be a formality, with the 24-year-old set to sign a contract worth well over £200,000 per week should the two clubs reach an agreement.
Arsenal’s £90 million deal was rejected, but they plan to counter with a £100 million offer. West Ham, which is remaining hard on Rice’s asking price, had hoped to spark a bidding war, but Chelsea and Manchester City have yet to join the party.
Despite Bayern Munich’s desire, it allows the Gunners a free hand as they aim to build on their successful season, which saw them return to the Champions League. Granit Xhaka is set to quit the Emirates, and Thomas Partey may follow.
Rice has tried to play down speculation, telling a young fan that “he’s West Ham” despite the fact that he is expected to leave. Following the Hammers’ Europa Conference League success, chairman David Sullivan all but confirmed his departure.
“I think it has to be,” he told TalkSport. We told him he could go. He made up his mind to go. You won’t find a man who has given more to us this season. He has to get on eventually, and we have to find a replacement – or numerous replacements. It’s not what we want to happen. We made him an offer of £200,000 per week 18 months ago. He declined it.
“It’s cost him £10 million in lost wages to stay at West Ham during that time.” And he wants to leave. You can’t keep a player who isn’t interested in being there.”
West Ham stands to profit handsomely from a player who came through their academy after being released by Chelsea. The club’s highest-ever selling was Dimitri Payet to Marseille, but if Rice leaves, they will make more than three times that amount.
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