Arsenal will soon present the first offer to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice, scheduling the negotiations for June.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal will prioritise signing Declan Rice in the summer transfer window. The Gunners are preparing their opening bid for the West Ham United captain. And they will begin negotiations with their fellow Premier League club next month.
Declan Rice has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world since breaking through at West Ham United. The English international spent the first few years of his professional career trying to zero in on his best position. And after alternating between a centre-back and a holding midfielder, he has become an elite performer in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old has seen his market value soar to €80 million in the last few years. And the West Ham talisman has become the club captain for the Premier League outfit this term. Meanwhile, Rice has made nearly 250 appearances for the Hammers, chipping in with 14 goals and 13 assists. And the player’s progress has captured the attention of several top clubs, including Arsenal.
Arsenal will likely lose Granit Xhaka in the summer transfer window. The Swiss midfielder has been with the North London club for nearly seven years. But he wants to embark on a new adventure in the summer transfer window, with Bayer Leverkusen closing in on signing him.
Arsenal are preparing opening proposal for Declan Rice as he remains the priority target for summer transfer window; they could sign two midfielders depending on outgoings. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
No negotiations now to respect West Ham; talks will take place in June. pic.twitter.com/rj8w6xY0yd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 19, 2023
So it behoves Arsenal to scour the market for a top-class midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. And the Gunners are prioritising signing Declan Rice ahead of the 2023/24 season. Recent reports have also claimed that Arsenal will soon approach West Ham over a move for the 24-year-old. And they are preparing their opening offer to present to their fellow Premier League club.
Romano has claimed that Arsenal will begin negotiations after the season ends as they do not want to hamper West Ham’s campaign. And they will likely need to table a bid over Rice’s market value of €80 million to secure his services.
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Arsenal will not be the only high-profile club pursuing Rice in the summer transfer window. Almost every top Premier League outfit has shown interest in the 24-year-old. And it will be interesting to see if Arsenal can beat the competition to secure his services once they table their first bid to West Ham.