CONFIRMED: Man City set to rival Arsenal for Premier League star

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 22 Jun 2023 12:04 BST
• 3 min read

Confirmed

Manchester City have strongly entered the race to beat Arsenal to Declan Rice, FootballTransfers can confirm.

The Premier League winners are preparing a bid to rival Arsenal for the West Ham captain. Arsenal had made a club-record proposal worth up to £90million (comprising a £75m fee and £15m in add-ons) for the England international but it was knocked back.

The Hammers set to hold out for a minimum of £100m to see Rice leave.

Now Man City are gearing up to make an offer for Rice and beat Arsenal to the punch.

The 24-year-old is set to leave West Ham after turning down a new contract.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: West Ham make Balogun a summer transfer priority

Rice remains Arsenal’s main target this summer - with Mikel Arteta hoping to bolster his midfield ahead of the next campaign.

West Ham chairman David Sullivan said after the club’s Europa Conference League win that Rice would be leaving in the summer window, with his deal at the London Stadium expiring in 2024.

Rice also has a one-year option on top of that.

Havertz closing in on Arsenal switch

Arteta sees incoming Chelsea starlet Kai Havertz as a replacement for Granit Xhaka rather than someone who can play in the attacking three, according to the Mail.

The German is set to sign for £65m and take the Chelsea attacker from west London to north London.

READ MORE: Arsenal face ‘WORST NIGHTMARE’ as Man Utd launch GENIUS Rice bid

Arteta feels Havertz can thrive as a left-sided No 8, being used to carry the ball up the pitch into the attacking third.

The Spaniard is enamoured with Havertz's versatility, which is why he is prepared to go all out on him this window.

Havertz earned his transfer to Chelsea based on two impressive seasons in the Bundesliga, where he showcased his versatility by playing in various positions for a dynamic team.

His exceptional performances during the 2019-2020 season, where he contributed to 27 goals in a challenging campaign, make Arteta hopeful that the player can replicate his goal-scoring prowess at the Emirates.