Arsenal and Chelsea will reportedly need to pay £90-100 million to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice in the summer transfer window.
Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided a major update on the potential price tag of West Ham United captain Declan Rice for the summer amid strong interest from Arsenal and Chelsea.
Romano wrote in his exclusive CaughtOffside column, “West Ham always asked for big money for Rice, it was £150m one year ago today. I think the price could now be around £90-100m, but it depends on many factors and it’s too early to predict the final price tag. Arsenal and Chelsea have always been interested but let’s see if Manchester United or Man City will join the race.”
Rice produced another all-action and assertive performance in the heart of the West Ham midfield over the weekend at St. James’ Park, helping his side earn a vital point in a 1-1 draw against high-flying Newcastle. The display was yet more evidence to suggest the West Ham captain is destined to play in the Champions League.
While the Hammers have failed to reach the heights of recent seasons, Rice has been as steady as ever and is attracting interest from a number of Premier League teams. The England international is anticipated to leave the east London club in the summer, though, with the Irons set to miss out on European football after a dreadful start to the current campaign.
The 24-year-old’s West Ham contract runs until the end of next season, with the club having the option of extending it for another year. The England international has turned down several offers of improved terms that would have made him the best-paid player at the London Stadium.
Recent reports have suggested that West Ham are resigned to losing Rice this summer but intend to hold firm on their preferred price tag amid growing Premier League interest. Rice has been strongly linked with several Premier League teams in recent times. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City are all reportedly keen to snap him up in the summer, with Arsenal now potentially in the mix as they sit top of the Premier League.
Chelsea, for one, have long been linked with a move for their former academy ace. And that interest persists despite breaking the British transfer record to land 2022 World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a £106 million deal from Benfica.
Arsenal are also ready to launch an offensive on West Ham, with Mikel Arteta keen to add a new, young, top-class midfielder to his ranks after seeing multiple bids for Moises Caicedo rejected by Brighton this past January. The Premier League leaders have reportedly made Rice their “priority” target for the summer window.
The highly-rated defensive midfielder was valued at around £150 million in the last few transfer windows amid interest from a number of top clubs. However, Romano has claimed that West Ham’s asking price for Declan Rice could be lower, in the ballpark of £90-100 million, as they won’t want to risk missing out on a major windfall for their prized asset.
The £100 million price tag seems to be the benchmark figure for the Hammers. The harsh reality is that the aforementioned valuation in this market for a midfielder is pretty standard.
