Declan Rice of West Ham is the most sought-after midfielder, but 90min knows that Arsenal is not yet willing to pay what the Hammers are demanding for their captain.
Following the conclusion of their Europa Conference League season, West Ham anticipates receiving numerous bids for Rice, who is also getting interest from Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich.
Rice, 24, is prepared to go on, and the Hammers have promised to split ways with him this summer, club chairman David Sullivan has stated.
Rice has a £100 million asking price, but West Ham thinks if a bidding war can be started, the midfielder will be able to command a bigger price.
According to 90min, Arsenal are hesitant to spend that much money and instead value Rice at closer to £90m. The Gunners would be seeking to negotiate a deal in which they would pay an initial £80m with add-ons to increase the price.
Due to the disparity in price, one of Rice's many suitors could enter into negotiations, but insiders have stated that Arsenal is still optimistic that they will prevail in the competition for Rice's services.
The management at the Emirates Stadium is certain that Rice's preference for Arsenal will help the Gunners hold off any rivals if a transfer battle breaks out.
West Ham has made serious preparations for losing Rice and has created a shortlist of targets to pursue if and when they decide to sell their captain, despite not yet finding a team willing to fulfill their demands.
Lately, an approach for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez has been made, and Joao Palhinha and Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City are both highly regarded.
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• West Ham considers a midfield trio as the search for Declan Rice's replacement heats up
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