Arsenal ready to table £90m bid for Declan Rice but face tricky payments schedule

Arsenal are aiming to finalize a £90 million deal for Declan Rice quickly, but must pay the West Ham skipper’s full transfer fee within two years.

The Gunners will make a formal bid for the victorious West Ham captain in the coming days, with Hammers chairman David Sullivan Rice estimating more than £100 million.

Rice, also wanted by Manchester United, made his name in Hammers folklore on Wednesday night by leading his team to their first trophy since 1980 with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.

But the midfielder’s future will now be thrust into the spotlight as the battle for his signature heats up.

Arsenal believe they are ahead of the England international, who is their number 1 transfer target.

His future at West Ham is uncertain as Arsenal are believed to be leading the race for Rice

Arsenal are aiming to secure a £90 million deal for the player quickly, although they could face a tricky payment schedule

The imminent move of Jude Bellingham, Rice’s international midfield partner, from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, for an initial fee of £88.5m, rising to £113m if various performance-related add-ons are achieved, is an indication of where West Ham praise their captain.

Mail Sport has learned that the Hammers will pay the guaranteed portion of Rice’s transfer fee by next summer.

West Ham were among the clubs featured on UEFA’s financial fairplay watch list last September and two large annual lump sums would see them stay comfortably within the laws.

Transfer costs can be spread over a number of years, often over the length of a player’s contract, to help the buying club manage their annual expenses.

Arsenal are prioritizing reaching an agreement with West Ham before making final decisions on other transfer targets.

For example, Arsenal are looking to sign a new central defender this summer, but are waiting for the final cost of the Rice deal before deciding which of their targets to pursue.

Rice wants to stay in the Premier League this summer due to interest from Bayern Munich.

The German champions Bayern led by Thomas Tuchel want to lure Rice away from the London Stadium.

West Ham were named to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play watchlist last September, so West Ham owner David Sullivan (right) believes two lump sums would help them stay within the laws

Former Chelsea manager Tuchel has been a long-time admirer of Rice, but it is clear Rice would prefer to continue playing in England’s top flight next season.

Rice is believed to be based in London, which could give The Gunners an advantage over United.

Nevertheless, United’s emergence as rivals to Rice could still undermine Arsenal’s hopes.

The Old Trafford club are operating on a limited transfer window this summer and are already planning to release at least £55 million from their budget to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea.

However, it is clear that United would consider trading players as part of their interest in Rice.

The Hammers have been continuously linked with interest in United midfielder Scott McTominay and defender Harry Maguire.