Arsenal Submits Record Bid For Rice, Manchester City Withdraws
Arsenal have submitted a third bid worth £105m for West Ham captain Declan Rice, forcing Manchester City to pull out of the race to sign the England international.
Manchester City had a £90m offer rejected by West Ham on Tuesday after the Premier League champions bid £80m up front, plus £10m in add-ons for Rice. However, Pep Guardiola’s side have decided to not match or surpass Arsenal’s £105m bid for Rice.
The Gunners offered a £100m initial fee, plus £5m in performance-related add-ons. The offer smashes Arsenal’s transfer record, the £72m they paid Lille for Cote d’Ivoire international Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
The West Ham midfielder has been Arsenal’s main target this summer and the player’s preferred destination is Arsenal.
Arsenal have already had two club-record bids rejected by West Ham, a £90m bid comprising a £75m fee and £15m in add-ons and an opening offer thought to be worth £80m plus add-ons.
