Arsenal submit improved Declan Rice offer

Arsenal have submitted a second, improved offer for the services of West Ham captain Declan Rice, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The proposal apparently consists of £75 million as the guaranteed part of the fee, with further £15 million to come in the form of add-ons. As things stand at the moment, it’s expected to be rejected like the first one, but the Gunners appear to be closing in on an amount the Hammers are keen on receiving if the 24-year-old midfielder is to leave the London Stadium.

Apart from Arsenal, Rice was heavily linked with Bayern Munich, while the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United were occasionally mentioned in the past. More recently, Manchester City are said to have asked to be informed on any developments, with a view of a possible swoop if both Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva leave.

Rice is Arsenal’s primary target for the summer, with manager Mikel Arteta keen to rebuild his midfield ranks. Granit Xhaka is on the verge of returning to Germany to sign for Bayer Leverkusen, and Thomas Partey could be another player to walk through the exit door.