Arsenal’s second bid for Declan Rice is expected to remain under the £100million-plus West Ham asking price football.london understands. The club had a first bid of £80million plus at least £10million in add-ons rejected last week for the England international.
Having completed England duty, Arsenal are expected to push ahead in finding an agreement with West Ham United. Despite interest from elsewhere, Arsenal are Rice’s team of choice and other parties are aware of this.
As previously reported at football.london, similar to the Mykhailo Mudryk situation the club want to try and avoid the additional pressures of triple-million-pound fees and this is no different. West Ham, however, remain adamant of an English record fee for Declan Rice with achievable add-on structure with a significant portion of the guaranteed fee paid upfront instead of the staggered payment over six years the Gunners offered previously, football.london understands.
Suggestions are Thomas Partey could leave alongside Granit Xhaka this summer and Arsenal are determined to land their priority midfield target after putting in substantial work to secure Rice. The club want to have business done early and before the trip to Germany in July, and at the very latest before the USA tour a week later.
Midfield has been the priority to strengthen alongside the defence after the club conceded 42 goals in the Premier League. With a significant portion occurring during the run-in with the absence of William Saliba and Partey’s dip in form.
There are however needs further forward and the club have had an initial offer of £55million for Kai Havertz rejected football.london understands. The club are also looking at trying to sign Romeo Lavia and Jurrien Timber with an interest in Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda.
