Arsenal are preparing to make a club record £92million opening bid to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
The England international is set to leave the London Stadium this summer because of his desperation to play Champions League football.
Rice’s availability is set to spark a huge bidding war between a number of Premier League clubs, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all interested in the midfielder.
But, it’s Arsenal who lead the race to sign the West Ham star and they’re seeking to strike early in the summer window to avoid a bidding war.
Mikel Arteta feels his team lacked leadership and phsicality in the last weeks of the season, with Rice possessing both qualities.
And the Telegraph claim Arsenal will submit an initial £92m offer for Rice in the hope that West Ham will accept.
The Hammers want to reinvest and avoiding a prolonged bidding war which could help David Moyes get replacements in early in the window.
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But the Hammers are reported to be seeking more than £100m and are unlikely to accept the Gunners’ first offer.
Meanhwile, Granit Xhaka is set to leave the club and has agreed personal terms with Bayer Leverkusen in a £13million deal.
And that definitely paves the way for Rice to join and he’s believed to be keen on a move to the Emirates.
