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Arsenal ‘very confident’ to sign Declan Rice this summer
Arsenal are reportedly ‘very confident’ to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice after submitting a British record £105m bid, as per the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
It has widely been suggested that the Gunners have prioritised strengthening their engine room this summer and the 24-year-old has been mentioned as the primary target.
Mikel Arteta’s side previously submitted two formal bids worth up to £90m to sign the midfielder; however, the Hammers rejected both offers as they are demanding a fee of more than £100m.
Now, writing on Caught Offside, Romano has reported that Arsenal are ‘very confident’ to lure Rice to the Emirates Stadium after launching a British record £105m proposal to West Ham.
Rice to Arsenal
The journalist further claims that Arsenal have proposed a £100m guaranteed fee plus £5m in add-ons to purchase Rice and they feel some changes to the structure of their current proposal would be enough to persuade West Ham to sell. Romano also says that Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign Rice and he is pushing hard to get this deal done.
Meanwhile, it has been suggested that Manchester City have also joined Arsenal in the race to purchase Rice and they earlier tabled an opening £90m bid. But David Moyes’ side quickly turned down that proposal as well.
Now, writing on Twitter, Romano has reported that Man City don’t want to match the Gunners’ current proposal and they have pulled the plug on signing the England international. So, Arteta’s side are set to get a clear pathway to sign their key midfield target.
The West Ham star has already established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the last few years. So, he would be a great coup for Arsenal and he would certainly help Arteta’s side in achieving their lofty ambitions next season if they eventually manage to sign him this summer.
It has been reported that Arsenal want to sign two new midfielders before the start of next season after opting to transfer-list Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey. So, it is going to be interesting to see whether the North London club have the financial muscle to sign another option to bolster their engine room if they sign Rice for a £105m fee.