West Ham SLAM Arsenal’s ‘RIDICULOUS’ Declan Rice offer

Carlo Garganese

28 Jun 2023 08:30 BST
4 min read

West Ham's Declan Rice is linked with Arsenal — © ProShots

West Ham reportedly described Arsenal’s second bid for Declan Rice as “ridiculous” and are still not satisfied with the Gunners’ third offer for the England international.

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In recent hours, David Ornstein broke the news that Arsenal had tabled a third offer for Rice which surpasses the £100 million mark that West Ham have requested for their captain. The third offer stands at £100m in a fixed fee plus £5m in add-ons.

West Ham have not yet accepted this offer, with journalist Jacob Steinberg reporting that the East London team are unhappy with the payment structure proposed by the Gunners.

This follows on from West Ham’s reported fury at Arsenal’s rejected second offer for Rice.

Multiple sources have reported that Arsenal considered that offer “ridiculous” and which “no board of directors could accept”. The offer is said to have included multiple hypothetical payments to take the price up, including bonuses if Arsenal won the Premier League or Champions League in the next five years. This prompted laughter from West Ham directors.

A third offer with a £100m fixed fee has now been received but Steinberg says West Ham are still not entirely happy.

Arsenal’s 2nd offer for Rice included extras which no board of directors could accept.

Arsenal offered extras described as “ridiculous”, including payments should they win the PL + lift the CL in the next 5 years.

Arsenal’s add ons brought laughter from the board room.

[C&H]
— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) June 27, 2023

Steinberg adds that Man City are expected to make a new offer of their own today, Wednesday. City already had a first bid of £80m plus £10m in add-ons rejected.

FootballTransfers reported on Sunday that a third Arsenal bid was set to arrive in the coming days which should be closer or even reach the £100 million asking price of West Ham.

That has now indeed transpired.

Arsenal agreed personal terms with Rice

Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with Rice, who FootballTransfers understands is pushing to complete a move to the Gunners.

Bayern Munich pulled out of the race to sign Rice a few weeks ago when they learned that the 24-year-old wanted Arsenal over the German champions.

Rice is almost certain to leave West Ham this summer as his contract expires next year.

Arsenal have made the Englishman their top midfield target as they work on three separate deals.

The Gunners are set to announce the signing of Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz in the coming days for £65m, while they are also in negotiations to buy Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.