Declan Rice is set to become the most expensive British player in history after Arsenal submitted a £105 million offer to West Ham on Tuesday night.
Arsenal’s offer includes £100 million pounds guaranteed and £5 million in add ons. It is their third official offer, and a £15 million improvement on their previous £75 million + £15 million proposal.
West Ham have reportedly not accepted the offer and are still seeking a more favourable payment plan. However Arsenal’s offer for Declan Rice pushes them over the £100 million mark and his price will be at least £105 million.
Read: Transfer Window Roundup – Market To Ignite This Week
Jack Grealish became the most expensive British player in 2021 following his £100 million move to Manchester City. Only Harry Maguire (£80 million) and Jadon Sancho (£73 million) have come close to commanding that sort of fee as British players.
Jude Bellingham’s transfer to Real Madrid is reportedly worth around £90 million. If Declan Rice moves for £105 million, he will be the second most expensive transfer in Premier League history. Only Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez cost more, at £106 million.
It’s a serious offer from Arsenal, one that’s £33 million more than their previous record transfer. The club was always going to need to make a statement after Manchester City bid £90 million.
Reportedly, Rice’s preference is Arsenal and has been for a while. Wednesday morning reports also say Manchester City have pulled out of the race, leaving the path clear for Arsenal.
It appears as though Arsenal will secure their main summer target, but is he worth the money? Well, if he excels he’ll be worth it and if he doesn’t he won’t, as transfers of this magnitude tend to be a coin flip.
Read: Kai Havertz On The Verge Of Joining Arsenal
Arsenal’s recruitment in recent years has been stellar, though, and Mikel Arteta has enough credit in the bank to make this sort of move. The fans back him to completely reconstruct the midfield with Rice as well as the imminent deal for Kai Havertz.
If it goes through, Arsenal will have made the kind of statement they never have before. They will have signed the most expensive, high-profile, most sought-after British player in the Premier League. It’s the sort of thing Manchester United used to do, and what Bayern Munich do in Germany. Their title challenge last season was improbable – does this make them bona fide contenders rather than surprise contenders?
