Declan Rice is the subject of bids from Manchester City and Arsenal, but West Ham are holding out for their £100m price tag.
The Hammers midfielder looks set to go out on a high after lifting the Europa Conference League trophy, but his club can no longer match his ambition with Rice desperate to test himself in the Champions League. He's excelled on the international stage and wants to continue progressing.
Rice has been West Ham's leading light for several years and Arsenal want him to continue their upward trajectory. City meanwhile want to remain at the summit and, with several midfielders leaving the Etihad, are eyeing him as a possible replacement.
The 24-year-old has previously turned down the offer of a new deal, effectively forcing West Ham's hand. They will not be bullied into selling Rice however and it looks as if one of his admirers will have to pay, at least, a English record-equalling fee for the midfielder.
Jack Grealish went for £100m in the summer of 2021, claiming the title of most expensive Englishman ever from Harry Maguire. The City man has begun to justify that huge outlay, playing a crucial part in his side's treble triumph. The homegrown quota that every club needs to abide by has placed a premium on English talent - and Rice is no different.
The mammoth fees are no guarantee of success however with several names, particularly young talents, making moves to big clubs and struggling to produce with several facing career crossroads.
With Rice set to join the list, we take a look at the most expensive English players of all-time.
1. Jack Grealish - Aston Villa to Man City for £100m
The opinion now is greatly different to that of 12 months ago. Grealish went from a big fish to just a fish when he join City's star-studded squad.
His fee didn't guarantee him a starting role and he was in and out of the team under Pep Guardiola. In his second season though he has come on, affecting big games and commanding a role on the left as fans were allowed to see, on regular basis, the player we saw at Villa.
2. Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid for £88.5m
This transfer can't yet be judged, but the consensus is that Los Blancos have bagged themselves a stunner. His fee could take him to the top of his list, but that is if the various add-ons are met.
Bellingham decided to continue his time on the continent rather than return home and has taken on, at his tender age, perhaps the biggest challenge possible. He will have to deal with huge expectation in Spain, but not much seems to phase this generational talent who has taken on the No.5 shirt previously worn by Zinedine Zidane.
3. Harry Maguire - Leicester to Man Utd for £78m
He became the most expensive defender in the world when the Red Devils fended off City's interest to secure, what they thought, was a statement signing.
From the get to however there have been doubts and some may cite blind faith from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he stood by Maguire for so long. Erik ten Hag has no such sentiment and has relegated the skipper to a squad role, which may force him to move on this summer if he wants to revive his career.
4. Jadon Sancho - Borussia Dortmund to Man Utd for £72.9m
Sancho lit up the Bundesliga and many thought United had captured an international star when they landed the winger two years ago.
His displays of brilliance have been a rare sight and reports suggest United are already prepared to take a financial loss to potentially move him on. Sancho was sent away on an individual training programme several months ago, but looks a man bereft of confidence with his price tag continually held against him.
5. Ben White - Brighton to Arsenal for £50m
The centre-half has been shifted out to right-back but continued to perform impressively.
Arsenal decided to take a punt after White had only spent one year as a top flight player with the Seagulls, but they invested in potential and the England international appeared in every Gunners outing last term and looks to be a mainstay for the next decade.
=6. Raheem Sterling - Liverpool to Man City for £49m
The forward's career at the Etihad was certainly ignited by the arrival of Guardiola and it allowed Sterling to enjoy the most prolific period of his career. \
The England international had been unable to justify his fee after initially joining in 2015, but produced his best from 2017 as he broke the 20 goal barrier for three successive seasons before he began to fall out of favour, eventually moving on.
=6. Aaron Wan Bissaka - Crystal Palace to Man Utd for £49m
Solskjaer made the young right-back one of his first signings and his defensive credentials have rarely been up for debate.
His limitations though are regularly exposed, particularly on the ball and in attack, which has cast doubt over his future. A recent renaissance may buy him more time, but few believe Wan-Bissaka will be a right-back in a title-challenging side at Old Trafford.
=8. Raheem Sterling - Man City to Chelsea for £47.5m
The Blues felt they could get Sterling back to his best, but the player has mirrored the fortunes of his new team over the past 12 months - disappointing.
Few recent signings have emerged with any credit and Sterling is no different as he attempts to stand on his own two feet having been surrounded by stars in City's well functioning system. The forward scored just six times in the Premier League.
=8. John Stones - Everton to Man City for £47.5m
Who saw Stones as a hybrid midfielder? Well Guardiola did. The young defender had long shown an appetite to travel with the ball, often looking comfortable in possession, and he's just produced the best period of his career. Initially he struggled at City, then he spent time out of the team before battling his way back in. Now he's a mainstay, offering his team multiple options as a centre-half, a full-back and a midfielder.
10. Kyle Walker - Tottenham to Man City for £45m
He was the first to jump ship from a young Tottenham side and pursue other avenues, which has now made him the most successful. Walker transformed City's right-hand side and was one of the catalysts for Guardiola's success, remaining a key asset with his pace a sensational insurance policy for the backline. He will go down as arguably the best Premier League right-back ever, meaning money well spent.
