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The treble winners have been rebuffed in their attempts to steal the England midfielder from the Gunners who are plotting a third offer within the next hours
West Ham United have rejected Manchester City’s offer for Declan Rice.
According to The Athletic, City made a formal offer of an initial £80 million with an extra £10 million in add-ons to West Ham for Rice.
Arsenal had a club-record proposal worth up to £90 million (comprising a £75m fee and £15m in add-ons) turned down by their Premier League rivals earlier this month which opened the door for City to make their move.
Rice’s contract at West Ham expires in 2024, with an option for a one-year extension.
But West Ham chairman David Sullivan said after the club’s Europa Conference League triumph that he expected the England international to have played his last game for the club, adding that he “wanted to go”.
Rice has made 245 appearances while scoring 15 goals for West Ham since making his debut in 2017.
British media reported on Monday that Arsenal are set to make an improved third offer for Rice inside 48 hours as they counter the attempts of City's proposal.
However, the forthcoming proposal will not be in direct response to the treble winners bid - although it will focus the club's efforts to sign Rice, who is Mikel Arteta’s No 1 target.
City's offer did beat Arsenal’s previous rejected bid of a guaranteed £75m plus an additional £15m in bonuses, but the Hammers are seeking at least a £100m for their star man. Sources claim that the Gunners' third offer will be closer towards this valuation.
The payment structure is also emerging as a factor, with the Hammers wanting the guaranteed portion of the fee for Rice to be paid in two instalments before 2025.
Rice has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates since before the transfer window opened but a deal has yet to be struck.
Since making his debut at the age of 18 in 2017, the 24-year-old has developed into a homegrown hero for the east London club.
During that time, Rice, who played three times for Republic of Ireland in 2018 before switching allegiance to England, has established himself as a key man for Gareth Southgate's side, winning 43 caps.
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