Manchester City 'close to beating Arsenal in Declan Rice race'

Speculation over the 24-year-old's future has been rife since he successfully led the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory earlier this month - the club's first European silverware for 58 years.

Rice is keen to fulfil his dream of playing in the Champions League, and West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed that the midfielder will be allowed to leave the club for the right price this summer.

Arsenal have been regarded as the frontrunners to sign Rice for the past few months, with the England international understood to have earmarked the Emirates Stadium as his preferred destination.

The Gunners, who have identified Rice as their number one target, have recently seen two big-money offers rejected by West Ham, including their latest bid believed to an upfront fee of £75m plus £15m in add-ons spread across a four to five-year period.

However, the Hammers are thought to value Rice between £100m and £120m and they are unlikely to lower their asking price unless players are included in the deal.

Arsenal have so far been reluctant to meet West Ham's valuation and they now face stern competition to win the race for Rice's signature, as treble winners Man City have stepped up their interest.

Recent reports have indicated that the Citizens are readying a formal offer to sign Rice, with Sky Sports in Italy claiming that they are prepared to table an opening bid of £75m plus £15m in bonuses paid across the next two years.

According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Rice is now 'getting closer' to signing for Man City, who are confident of reaching a final agreement with West Ham.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol claims that the "end game is approaching" in the Rice transfer saga and progress has been made in talks to sell the midfielder, with West Ham closer to receiving the price that they want.

Man City's pursuit of Rice has intensified after it was reported on Wednesday that club captain Ilkay Gundogan has agreed to join Barcelona on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this month.

Pep Guardiola is now keen to lure Rice to the Etihad Stadium despite the Citizens having already agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Mateo Kovacic for an initial £25m.

Manchester United are also said to be interested in Rice, but a big-money move for the midfielder to Old Trafford appears unlikely due to Financial Fair Play regulations, leaving Man City and Arsenal to lock horns in a bidding war.

Since making his professional debut in 2017, Rice has featured 245 times for West Ham across all competitions, and he contributed with five goals and three assists in 50 games during the 2022-23 campaign.