The pursuit of Declan Rice for Arsenal has hit a major roadblock as West Ham are interested in a swap deal with Man City. Reports have indicated that Arsenal had emerged as frontrunners in the race to secure Rice’s signature. However, the Gunners have already seen two bids for the talented midfielder rejected by West Ham.
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, and the club’s technical director, Edu, are keen to reinforce the squad. They wanted two midfielders, a center-back, a right-back, and a forward this summer. Their top three targets were Rice from West Ham, Jurrien Timber from Ajax and Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
Arsenal in jeopardy with West Ham seeking options for Rice
Recent revelation of Manchester City’s potential involvement has left some Arsenal fans feeling uneasy. There are even rumors circulating that Manchester United might also be interested, further complicating the situation.
The Evening Standard reports that West Ham is “in no rush to sell the 22-year-old midfielder as they wait to see if Manchester City firm up their interest in him” despite the fact that interest from other teams is driving up the price of the player.
Arsenal are still negotiating the Declan Rice transfer, according to Fabrizio Romano. They had a proposal rejected on Tuesday, but since he is their top target, they will definitely make another attempt. They will come with a new bid but the timing will be crucial for them this time.
West Ham open to a swap deal with Man City for Kalvin Phillips
It has been reported that West Ham United is open to the idea of a swap deal involving Manchester City. In this scenario, West Ham would receive Kalvin Phillips in exchange for Rice.
With only four starts across all competitions under Pep Guardiola this season, the Hammers are considering a potential swap move plus cash for Kalvin Phillips. Hence, he would welcome the chance to secure more playing time and potentially revitalize his career at West Ham.
As the transfer window progresses, Arsenal’s pursuit of Rice hangs in the balance. The Gunners must contend with West Ham’s openness to a potential swap deal with Manchester City, while also keeping an eye on the ever-changing dynamics of the transfer market. The outcome of this intriguing transfer saga will likely depend on the decisions made by all parties involved in the coming weeks.
