Fabrizio Romano has revealed the timeline for Arsenal signing West Ham captain Declan Rice, with the Gunners heading towards a ‘crucial stage’ after pushing their main opponents aside.
Rice has rejected several offers to extend his contract at West Ham. While he holds great admiration for the club, having come through their academy and made almost 250 appearances for them, he wants to leave so he can regularly compete for trophies.
The midfielder’s West Ham spell has ended on a massive high, as he lifted the Europa Conference League trophy following the Irons’ 2-1 victory over Italian side Fiorentina.
After the triumph, West Ham chairman David Sullivan revealed he has promised Rice a transfer. Sullivan added that there are three or four clubs interested in his star man, though he did not go on to name them.
Chelsea are long-term admirers of the England international, but they may have to watch on as he signs for London rivals Arsenal.
Earlier this week, a report revealed how Arsenal have drawn up plans to bid £75million for the England international. A transfer at that price would see him become Arsenal’s record signing, ahead of Nicolas Pepe.
German champions Bayern have recently got involved in the transfer chase, but they are preparing to give up due to Arsenal. Rice would ideally like to stay in England and Bayern have now become aware of this.
The Sun claim Arsenal might come forward with a player-plus-cash deal if West Ham reject their initial £75m offer. Emile Smith Rowe is one player who could head in the opposite direction to Rice.
Fabrizio Romano discusses Declan Rice to Arsenal
On Twitter, Romano has provided the latest on Rice’s prospective move to the Emirates. He reveals that Arsenal will enter the ‘crucial stage’ of the Rice negotiations next week.
An official bid is expected ‘very soon’ following talks between the two clubs, which went ‘positively’.
Romano reiterates the fact Rice wants to stay in the Premier League, stating that Arsenal ‘feel they’re ahead’ of the Bundesliga giants as a result.
However, one potential stumbling block for Arsenal is the potential timing of the transfer.