West Ham United believe they can sell Declan Rice for a British record fee, as Manchester City battle it out with Arsenal to sign the star.
England international Rice is currently at the centre of a tug-of-war between City and the Gunners.
On Monday night, City sent in their first bid for the player. It was thought to be £80 million, plus £10 million in add-ons. It was swiftly rejected.
Arsenal have seen two bids rejected for Rice. Their latest was apparently £75 million, plus £15 million in add-ons.
The Hammers want to sell. But they are making sure that they get as much as they possibly can for the 24-year-old.
For weeks, the narrative has been that West Ham value Rice at £100 million.
But a new claim dropped last night which suggests he could transfer for a little more…
West Ham think they can get a British record fee for Declan Rice, as Man City fail with first offer
The Athletic reported about Rice again last night.
They have claimed that internally, West Ham officials believe they can break Enzo Fernandez’s record fee with the sale of Rice.
They see Rice as having much more experience than the Argentine, and similar in terms of ability.
Chelsea signed Fernandez for just a touch under £107 million in January. That was the value of his release clause at Benfica, and was a transfer that broke the British record previously held by Jack Grealish.
It remains to be seen if City would be willing to smash the British transfer record once again in order to land Rice.
At the moment, they are about £17 million off doing that.
Arsenal’s next bid for Declan Rice could dictate what Man City do
It will be really interesting to see what Arsenal’s next bid for Rice will be.
Reports have indicated that they will definitely be coming back in for the England international, whom Pep Guardiola has previously branded ‘exceptional’.
If it is significantly larger than what they have already offered, then that will put the pressure on City.
In the end, City might just be prepared to smash the British transfer record again to get their man.
