Fans simply won’t believe what Arsenal did in the opening negotiation talks with West Ham United for Declan Rice.
The summer transfer window has only been open for 24 hours but already the long-rumoured Arsenal move to sign Declan Rice from West Ham is becoming tiresome.
After months of speculation – and fully aware of West Ham’s £100m valuation – one would think the Gunners would have a deal in place and be ready to pull the trigger.
Arsenal fans are taking great delight at the prospect of relieving the Hammers of their crown jewel.
And focus at West Ham has already turned to replacing Rice with two different midfielders such is his unique, hybrid talent.
But as Arsenal’s initial bid was rejected by West Ham today, reports have emerged that Manchester City are lurking with serious intent.
Gunners should have had fingers on trigger to get Rice deal done ahead of rivals
That news has gone down like a lead balloon among Arsenal supporters. Because they know only too well that when Man City want a player, they usually get him.
Rice looks to have signed off at West Ham in perfect style – by leading the club to a first major trophy in 43 years and third piece of European silverware.
Whisper it quietly but West Ham have actually now won more European trophies than Arsenal.
Many pundits and supporters believe Mikel Arteta’s side squandered the chance of a lifetime to win the Premier League last season as Man City cruised across the finish line in style. It means the Gunners have now gone 20 years since their last title triumph.
Fans simply won’t believe what Arsenal did in opening negotiation talks with West Ham for Declan Rice
So fans simply won’t believe what Arsenal did in the opening negotiation talks with West Ham for Rice.
Because Arsenal’s opening offer – said to be just £80m, some £20m short of West Ham’s valuation – included add-ons which would only be paid if the Gunners WIN the Premier League and … wait for it … the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
Yes you did just read that correctly. That’s according to a new report on Arsenal’s Rice bid from Football.London.
“Champions League and Premier League victories are said to be a potential add-ons which creates a win-win scenario for Arsenal,” the report states.
“The additional fee paid to West Ham with the achievement of these add-ons would be paid for through the financial gain of those achievements themselves.”
Laughable opening bid proves Arsenal aren’t serious about Rice and will only have themselves to blame if he now joins Man City
‘Win-win for Arsenal’ – on what planet? Those add-ons are optimistic in the extreme. And that’s putting it politely.
All this laughable opening bid has done is open the door for Man City to – once again – beat Arsenal to the punch.
The Gunners were never the nailed on guarantee of silverware and Champions League football Rice craves.
So they should have had the money West Ham wanted ready and waiting to get this deal done swiftly if they were serious about Rice.
Including add-ons based on winning a trophy they haven’t managed for two decades and another they have never lifted suggests they’re not serious at all.
If they now miss out to Man City then they will only have themselves to blame.
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