BREAKING NEWS: Man City pull OUT of the race for Declan Rice after refusing to match Arsenal’s £105m bid – which has NOT been accepted – as West Ham hold talks with the Gunners this morning
Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign West Ham star Declan Rice after Arsenal’s British record £105million bid.
City had submitted an offer of £80m guaranteed cash plus £10m in add-ons, which was rejected by the Hammers.
Arsenal then tabled their third bid for the 24-year-old England midfielder on Tuesday – of £100m plus £5m – which has not been accepted by West Ham.
The fee involved has seen City, who are known for not entering into public bidding wars for players, end their interest in signing Rice.
Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners now have no intention of gazumping Arsenal’s huge bid. It leaves the Gunners as the front-runners to land Rice, Mikel Arteta’s No 1 target in this summer’s window, although Manchester United remain interested.
Manchester City have ended their interest in signing Declan Rice after Arsenal’s £105m bid
Well-placed sources indicated that negotiations between Arsenal and West Ham are continuing, mainly over the structure of the deal.
As Mail Sport revealed earlier this month, the Hammers want the guaranteed portion of the fee paid by the start of 2025, preferably in two instalments.
It is understood that Arsenal want to pay the fee over a five-year period.
And talks over reaching a middle ground with regards to the structure of the deal will continue on Wednesday morning with Arsenal desperate to reach an agreement as they seek to clinch Rice’s capture.
Their offer exceeds West Ham’s £100m valuation for the England star.
More to follow
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