Declan Rice is no longer a target for Manchester City after Arsenal increased its £105 million offer for the West Ham captain.
PUNCH METRO has learned that the Gunners made their most recent bid for the 24-year-old England international on Tuesday after the Hammers turned down their first two offers.
City reportedly had a proposal rejected for £90 million, and the triple champions have now chosen not to match or attempt to outbid Arsenal’s offer.
The Gunners are believed to have offered £100 million plus an additional £5 million in prospective add-ons. Rice would become the most expensive British athlete in history, surpassing Arsenal’s previous transfer record.
It is believed that West Ham are dissatisfied with the proposed payment structure, but rather than reject the offer outright, they are now seeking to negotiate.
City believed that the deal’s price was too high, the club had already added a midfielder this summer, Mateo Kovacic for £30 million from Chelsea, and was reticent to meet the Hammers’ asking price.
Italian Football Journalist Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday had tweeted, “Manchester City will NOT match Arsenal official bid for Declan Rice and are set to leave the race!
“Arsenal are negotiating with West Ham on deal structure and payment terms after £105m bid. There was big confidence on Arsenal side on Tuesday night after record bid for an English player.
“Manchester City will not pay that amount of money for Rice and they will leave the race now.”
