West Ham expected to reject Arsenal’s improved £90m Declan Rice bid
West Ham are expected to reject a second bid from Arsenal for Declan Rice worth £90m. Arsenal are offering £75m plus £15m in add-ons which West Ham believe will be difficult to achieve.
Arsenal had an initial £80m offer rejected last week and want to secure a deal for Rice quickly. They are confident of signing the England midfielder but Manchester City are monitoring the situation as they await a decision from Ilkay Gündogan on whether he will extend his stay. West Ham expect City to enter the race this week.
Arsenal are also interested in Southampton’s midfielder Roméo Lavia but have not yet bid for the Belgium international and that is not tied to the outcome of their pursuit of Rice. They are in talks with Southampton and the 19-year-old’s representatives.
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Mikel Arteta also wants to strengthen in defence and has made Ajax’s Jurriën Timber his top target. RB Leipzig’s Mo Simakan is another on Arsenal’s list for that position.