West Ham have rejected Arsenal’s opening offer for club captain Declan Rice, with the Hammers having turned down a bid worth £80m plus add-ons.
Arsenal’s offer had been expected following the conclusion of West Ham’s campaign with the Gunners having made Rice their leading transfer target for the summer window.
Rice captained West Ham to Europa Conference League success last week and was named as the competition’s Player of the Tournament, as the Irons ended a 43-year wait for a major trophy.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan admitted that Rice would be allowed to leave the London Stadium, but Sky Sports are reporting that the opening bid from Arsenal has fallen below their valuation of the England international.
West Ham value the 24-year-old – who has two years remaining on his current contract – at around £100m and Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer in the coming days.
Manchester United and Bayern Munich have also been linked with signing Rice, while Manchester City are understood to be ‘keeping an eye’ on the midfielder’s situation.
Rice is currently with the England squad preparing for Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Malta, before a home clash with North Macedonia on June 19.
