MANCHESTER CITY have submitted a formal £90million bid for Declan Rice to spark a bidding war with Arsenal.
However, it is still £10m short of West Ham’s valuation.
The Etihad giants are huge admirers of the Hammers captain, 24, and keen to bolster their midfield following Ilkay Gundogan’s exit.
Arsenal saw two bids for Rice – the second for £75m plus £15m in add-ons – rejected last week.
But this evening City tabled their own opening offer while their rivals Arsenal are preparing a THIRD bid and remain hopeful of landing their No1 summer transfer target.
It is understood the Treble winners proposed a deal for an initial £80m with £10m in add-ons.
READ MORE TRANSFER NEWS
Kalvin Phillips could be added into subsequent City offers to try and tempt West Ham to do business, especially after the Hammers failed to sign Phillips from Leeds.
City had previously held off on making a bid because Rice would prefer to stay in London with his family and join Arsenal.
However, the Gunners had failed to make an offer West Ham were willing to accept.
City held off on making a move until they could get assurances from the 43-cap England ace.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
But now Pep Guardiola’s side have pounced on their rivals’ hesitancy with the statement offer.
They hope the extra £5m upfront rather than in add-ons could tempt West Ham to sell.
However, the Hammers have continually wanted to hold out for £100m for their influential club captain, who has one year left on his current London Stadium contract – although there is an option for an extra 12 months.
Chairman David Sullivan admitted after the Europa Conference League win that the memorable final would likely have been Rice’s final game for the club because he “wanted to go”.
Rice was in Chelsea’s academy until he was released aged 14 and joined West Ham in 2014.
He broke through into the first team in 2017 and has gone on to make 245 appearances for the East Londoners.
The dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague, sealed by Jarrod Bowen’s late winner, secured the Hammers’ first European trophy for 58 years and etched skipper Rice’s name into the club’s history books forever.
But few could begrudge the talismanic figure from fulfilling his desire to compete for the top titles regularly, including the Premier League and Champions League.
And the latest development twist could nudge Guardiola into pole position to land him.
Fellow Arsenal target Moises Caicedo, meanwhile, has reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea.
The Blues, though, are yet to negotiate a transfer fee with Brighton for the Ecuador star.
Read More On The Sun
Arsenal are also looking at Youssouf Fofana as well as closing in on Kai Havertz.
City, meanwhile, are set to announce the signing of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic for £25m.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
