A Declan Rice exchange with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has caused a stir and upset some West Ham United fans.
West Ham fans have long known that captain Declan Rice would be leaving this summer and Arsenal have been frontrunners for his signature for several months.
But after two unacceptable bids from the Gunners, the situation is threatening to become something of a saga.
West Ham supporters have – like co-owner David Sullivan – been amused by the offers Edu and co have thus far presented to the Hammers.
And Arsenal’s own fans are growing frustrated with the way their club are conducting negotiations.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth revealed Arsenal’s second bid was just £75m guaranteed with £15m in add-ons.
Unsurprisingly it was instantly rejected by West Ham, who have made it clear for well over a year – via manager David Moyes and the owners – that they will not entertain anything less than £100m.
Declan Rice exchange with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka causes a stir and upsets some West Ham fans
Fans of both the Gunners and West Ham are growing frustrated by Arsenal’s approach – methodology that has cost the north Londoners signings in the recent past.
The Hammers faithful have accepted Rice wants to move on to play Champions League football.
But some West Ham fans are also growing frustrated with their talisman amid reports he has let it be known to any interested clubs that he is only interested in a move to Arsenal.
That seriously limits West Ham’s hand in negotiations as they look to secure their valuation.
Now a Rice exchange with Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has caused a stir and upset some West Ham fans.
Breaking up is hard to do
After Saka scored a hat-trick in England’s win over North Macedonia, Rice posted a picture with the Gunners “starboy” and the matchball saying: “Unbelievable way to end the season! Bukayo Saka on fire.”
Saka then simply responded to Rice with red and white hearts.
Some fans have taken the red and white hearts to be an Arsenal hint between the pair.
And many West Ham supporters have taken umbrage with the exchange, seeing it as something of a liberty to the club with Rice still a Hammers player.
One only needs to take a look at some of the responses to see the strength of feeling on the posts.
Opinion: Hammers want to wish Rice well but deserve total respect from giddy Gunners
In mitigation, it could be argued the red and white hearts represent England. But the feeling among some is Saka knows what he is doing.
The majority of West Ham fans want to – and will – wish Rice well when he leaves.
But most would much prefer to see him join a club like Man City – where he is guaranteed the Champions League football and silverware he craves.
The Gunners also need to appreciate that they just so happen to be the right ship passing at the right time and in the right place, quite literally.
Rice wants to stay in London and play Champions League football. Arsenal are the only club that can tick those boxes right now.
And you can bet your bottom dollar if Chelsea were in the Champions League he’d be wanting to go back to his boyhood club instead.
History tells us it is extremely rare for a top West Ham player to move to Arsenal. They are a massive club no doubt. But so are West Ham and it has never be seen as a significant enough step up from the Hammers, particularly post Arsene Wenger.
So if Saka’s red and white hearts were a not-so-subtle message then he and other giddy Gunners need to show more respect to West Ham.
It is hard enough to stomach seeing Rice push for a move to a London rival as it is. So let’s not have it rubbed in our faces.
The last thing anyone wants is for this to become a messy, unpleasant saga played out on social media.
MORE WEST HAM NEWS
Sun journalist makes Man City claim Sullivan will love as Arsenal show themselves up.
Sheth confirms exact make-up of second offer as Arsenal submit record bid for Rice.
‘Next few days crucial’ as exciting claim made about West Ham bid for triple league champ.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
