Arsenal fear being priced out of a move for top target Declan Rice – with West Ham hoping a bidding war could push the price above £100M – while Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Man United are also eyeing the Hammers captain
- West Ham’s Declan Rice has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer
- The Hammers are willing to sell Declan Rice if they get a suitable offer
- Interest from Premier League rivals could push West Ham’s demands further
Arsenal are reportedly fearful of being priced out of a move for their main transfer target Declan Rice amid a potential bidding war for the West Ham captain.
Mail Sport revealed in January that Rice has become Arsenal’s main target, while boss Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen the heart of their midfield.
The England midfielder’s contract expires in 2024, but West Ham could initiate a one-year extension.
Mail Sport revealed that West Ham are resigned to losing Rice this summer if they get an acceptable offer, with the clause expected to strengthen their position in the negotiations by saying his contract is valid until 2025.
Rice has spoken openly about his ambition to play in the Champions League.
Rice is expected to leave West Ham this summer and there are several clubs looking to sign him
Arsenal are reportedly worried that demand for Rice could push a transfer fee in excess of £100 million
West Ham boss David Moyes has insisted it will take a British transfer record to sign Rice
However, Arsenal are reportedly concerned they could be priced out of a transfer from Rice given the interest from their Premier League rivals.
According to The sunArsenal had hoped to pay around £80 million for Rice and offer the midfielder a five-year contract worth £300,000 a week.
The Premier League title chasers are said to be concerned interest from Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Man United could allow West Ham to further ramp up their demands.
Hammers boss David Moyes is determined his captain will not leave the club for a cut price despite his contract situation.
Moyes has previously stated that Rice will only leave the club if one of his suitors is willing to break the British record.
The record currently stands at £106 million Chelsea paid Benfica for Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January.
West Ham are reportedly hopeful that demand for Rice’s fee could rise to an eye-watering £130 million.
While Arsenal were seen as front-runners for the midfielder, the price could reportedly force Arteta to look elsewhere, with Man United also reportedly making the star their main target.
The Gunners had previously missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk in January after Chelsea signed the Ukrainian winger for £88 million.
The England star has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Man United in the summer
Martin Keown has expressed fears his former club could also miss out on Rice, suggesting the West Ham captaincy would be too costly for both Arsenal and Liverpool.
Rice made 44 appearances in all competitions for West Ham this season, with the club reaching the last four of the Europa Conference League despite their troubles in the Premier League.
The Hammers will On Thursday, AZ Alkmaar will meet in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.
If the East London side can beat the Dutch team, they could find themselves in a European final against either Fiorentina or Basel.