Arsenal blow as Romano claims West Ham ‘expect’ Man City to ‘enter the race’ for Rice

Arsenal are set to face major competition for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice with Manchester City poised to enter the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The England international has been in brilliant form over the past couple of seasons for club and country with his performances earning admiring glances from a number of clubs.

There were some rumours of interest from Bayern Munich but it is Arsenal who have made the concrete moves for Rice with the Gunners having two bids rejected for the midfielder.

The latest offer of £75m plus another £15m in add-ons was rejected by West Ham yesterday with the Hammers looking for at least £100m and maybe more if other clubs get involved in a bidding war.

And transfer expert Romano has revealed that Arsenal will definitely bid again for Rice “as he’s their priority target” this summer.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Arsenal are continuing to work on the Declan Rice deal. They had a bid rejected on Tuesday but they will bid again for sure as he’s their priority target. We don’t know yet when, but a new bid will be submitted.

“West Ham always wanted at least £100m but a lot depends on payment terms and deal structure. Manchester City are also well informed on the situation, and West Ham expect them to enter the race in the next days.

“Arsenal are also advancing on signing Romeo Lavia from Southampton. Manchester United and Chelsea are also still interested. Liverpool are informed on conditions of the deal but at the moment there is nothing else advanced with these teams. For sure Southampton want at least £45/50m fee to let Lavia go.

“Meanwhile, as has been widely reported, Thomas Partey could be on the move this summer as he’s considering a future away from Arsenal. Saudi clubs are interested, so keep an eye on this one.

“An important point to remember is that this is not linked with the future of Granit Xhaka, who wanted a new chapter and who is close to joining Bayer Leverkusen, just waiting for Arsenal’s green light.”

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain recently but CBS Sports journalist ben Jacobs insists the Spaniard is “not even considering another job” and the Gunners want to extend his contract again.

Jacobs told Caught Offside: “It’s perhaps no surprise that Luis Campos sounded out Mikel Arteta, especially with PSG being one of the Arsenal boss’ former clubs. But it was nothing more than that. Arteta has no interest in leaving Arsenal at this point. And PSG are advancing now with Luis Enrique who is expected to become their new manager.

“Although Arsenal couldn’t hang on and win the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League is going to allow for a healthy summer spend. Arteta has also been vital in extending the contracts of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba to name but three. As previously revealed, Arsenal had high confidence on all of those extensions, and Saliba, who has agreed terms now, will be finalised and announced soon.

“Arteta is not even considering another job. He’s got everything he needs at Arsenal. His current contract, which he signed towards the end of last season, runs until June 2025. This means there’s plenty of time still. Arsenal do want Arteta to extend again and although nothing is close currently there’s also no fears another club will poach him.”