West Ham ‘REJECT Manchester City’s £90m bid for Declan Rice’

West Ham have rejected Manchester City’s £90 million bid for Declan Rice The Telegraph.

Rice is one of the hottest players in the market this summer, with the England midfielder widely expected to leave the Hammers after leading them to victory in the Europa Conference League.

Arsenal are also keen on him and have already turned down two bids, but City’s first offer – which consisted of a guaranteed £80 million plus an additional £10 million in add-ons – has also been rejected by David Moyes’ side.

Mail Sport reported on Monday that Arsenal will make an improved third offer for Rice within 48 hours if they counter City’s bid attempts.

However, the forthcoming proposal will not be a direct response to the Treble winners’ bid, although it will focus the club’s efforts to sign Rice, who is Mikel Arteta’s No. 1 target.

City’s offer beat Arsenal’s previously rejected offer of £75 million guaranteed plus a further £15 million in bonuses, but the Hammers are seeking at least £100 million for their star player. Sources claim the Gunners’ third bid will be closer to this valuation.

The payment structure also emerges as a factor, with the Hammers wanting the guaranteed part of the compensation for rice to be paid in two installments before 2025.

Rice has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates even before the start of the transfer window, but a deal has yet to be finalized.

Since making his debut aged 18 in 2017, the 24-year-old has been a homegrown hero for the East London club.

In total, he made 245 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals.

During that time, Rice – who made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland in 2018 before moving to England – has established himself as a key figure for Gareth Southgate’s side, winning 43 caps.

MORE TO FOLLOW