Arsenal and Chelsea have been told they will have to break the British transfer record if they are to sign Declan Rice in the summer. The current most expensive player is Enzo Fernandez after his dramatic deadline day move to Stamford Bridge for £106.8million and that could be the benchmark for future deals.
Both London clubs are interested in the West Ham midfielder and have been given a major boost moving forward with less than 18 months remaining on his contract. football.london understands that the Hammers are resigned to him leaving at the end of the season but the battle for his signature continues.
Having previously been quoted a staggering fee of above £150million by David Moyes there is hope that his price will lower with West Ham's weakened bargaining position over time. Once more though, if World Cup winner Fernandez is the most expensive player it could make things harder for Graham Potter and Mikel Arteta.
