Arsenal have ‘already made first Declan Rice bid’ as Bayern view comes to light

Arsenal have already submitted their first offer for Declan Rice, according to reports. It is claimed that the Gunners have made a bid to West Ham of around £70million as Bayern Munich’s stance on the player comes to light.

Rice is the top transfer target for Arsenal this summer as Mikel Arteta attempts to add at least two new midfielders to his squad. The 24-year-old’s contract at the London Stadium expires in 2024, although the Hammers have the option to extend it by a further year.

West Ham know they likely have to sell in the upcoming window and won’t stand in the player’s way if he wants to move to a Champions League club. Manchester United and Chelsea are long-term admirers, while Manchester City are also interested in Rice.

West Ham value Rice at a minimum of £100m. But it appears the Gunners are attempting to take advantage of his contract situation by making a low first offer.

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Sky Sport in Germany claims Arsenal have already submitted an offer of around £70m (€80m). Bayern are also interested in signing Rice, with Thomas Tuchel an admirer from his time in charge of Chelsea.

However, the report says Arsenal’s initial offer is already too high for Bayern to match. It is claimed Bayern have held talks with Rice’s representatives but the overall transfer could be way beyond their current financial resources.

Arsenal’s opening bid for Rice would likely be turned down by West Ham. The Gunners know they will have to surpass the club-record fee of £72m they spent on Nicolas Pepe to land the England international, especially with the competition they are expected to face.

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Rice has been a constant in the West Ham side in recent seasons and his value has increased significantly following his performances under Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. Hammers boss David Moyes conceded earlier this month that it was likely Rice would leave this summer.

Moyes said: “We honestly hope he stays. We’d love for him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season.

“So that’s one of the scenarios around planning. There are plans that we have Dec here but we’re also fully aware there is a good chance we won’t have him.”

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