Arsenal are not giving up on signing Declan Rice despite a rival move from Manchester City and are preparing a third bid for the midfielder, according to reports.
The Gunners have identified the West Ham skipper as their number one target this summer but have already had two bids rejected.
Arsenal’s second offer was believed to be worth around £90m, though around £15m was made up of add-ons and it was payable over a number of years.
West Ham balked at the proposal and want a guaranteed fee of £100m in fewer instalments, with the impasse opening the door for Premier League champions City to make a rival move.
Although Pep Guardiola is already close to securing a deal for Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan’s exit has necessitated a move for another midfielder and the treble winners are stepping up their pursuit of Rice.
City have yet to lodge an official bid but they are expected to get closer to West Ham’s asking price, and that has put the pressure on Arsenal to return with an improved offer of their own.
According to The Mirror, that is exactly what the Gunners will do and they are ready to make a third bid that will get closer to the £100m fixed fee West Ham want.
Culled From Metro.co.uk
