Arsenal Make Third Bid for Declan Rice
Arsenal have submitted a third bid worth £105m for West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice, with Manchester City not matching the offer. The Gunners have had two bids previously rejected after their offers fell short of the £100m West Ham want. The structure of the latest bid is being questioned, however.
Declan Rice’s Contract
Declan Rice currently has a contract at the London Stadium that expires in 2024, with the option for a one-year extension until the summer of 2025. If Arsenal’s bid of an initial £100m plus £5m in add-ons is successful, the initial fee would equal the British record Manchester City paid for midfielder Jack Grealish. Earlier this month, England midfielder Jude Bellingham signed for Real Madrid for an initial £88.5m, although that deal could reach £115m if add-ons are activated.
West Ham Chairman’s Comments
Following the club’s Europa Conference League victory over Fiorentina earlier this month, West Ham chairman David Sullivan said he was “99%” sure Rice would leave West Ham this summer. Rice has scored 15 goals in 245 games for West Ham, having made his debut in the 2016-17 season after coming through the academy. He has been capped 41 times by England, playing in all five of their matches at last winter’s World Cup.
Analysis of Declan Rice’s Career
Declan Rice has established himself as one of the most promising midfielders in Europe since his debut for West Ham in 2016. He has become an integral part of the England national team and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. He has also been a consistent performer for West Ham, helping them to qualify for European competitions in recent years.
Rice is a versatile midfielder who can play in a variety of positions. He is strong defensively and is capable of playing both as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box midfielder. He is also comfortable on the ball and is adept at passing and dribbling. His ability to read the game and anticipate danger makes him a valuable asset to any team.
Conclusion
Declan Rice is one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe and it appears that Arsenal are determined to sign him this summer. It remains to be seen if West Ham will accept Arsenal’s latest bid or if they will hold out for more money. Either way, it looks like Rice will be on the move this summer and it will be interesting to see which team he ends up joining.