Arsenal could have to cough up a British transfer record fee to sign Declan Rice with West Ham using Manchester City’s move for Jack Grealish as a benchmark for a potential deal.
90min claim that the Irons will be inspired by Grealish’s £100m move to City in 2021 as well as Chelsea’s recent record-breaking move to sign Enzo Fernandez in any deal involving Rice in the summer, with Arsenal keen on bringing the England international to north London.
Arsenal face paying £100m+ transfer fee for Declan Rice
Jim White had already claimed this week that West Ham could demand as much as £120m for Rice in the summer, and following this latest update, there’s a growing sense that Arsenal could have to pay a club-record and even British record fee to bring the midfielder to north London.
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Indeed, with central midfield a key area for Arsenal this summer, there’s nothing to suggest that the Gunners’ won’t be able to meet West Ham’s asking price, especially with UEFA Champions League money being added to the transfer pot.
Moreover, with some players expected to be moved on and Arsenal saving in the January window by not signing the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk or Moises Caicedo, there should be a lot leftover in the pot for the summer for Rice’s transfer fee to be met.
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Two central midfielders who can complement Martin Odegaaard for years to come will be Arsenal’s priority this summer, and given what Rice offers, a club-record transfer fee could be worth it for the 24-year-old West Ham captain.
As we know, the England regular is one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League and a player who could thrive at a bigger club, such as an Arsenal. And even with West Ham naming a British transfer record for their star man, the Gunners should be willing to take the risk and to accept the terms if needed this summer.