Declan Rice is ready to make clear he has a preferred destination this Summer (Summer is Here SALE)r as Arsenal and Manchester United prepare to vie for his signing.
The West HamSki Goggles (On Sale Here)pper’s immediate focus remains on ending the season strongly with the east London club who have the Europa League Conference final against Fiorentina to look forward to.
Rice, however, according to The Mirror, wants to remain in London and commit the peak years of his career to Arsenal.
The Gunners are preparing to table a £90million to sign the England international, but that bid will fall at least £10m short of West Ham’s valuation.
Manchester United, who like Arsenal, are desperate to strengthen their midfield during the Summer (Summer is Here SALE)r window are likely to submit a rival offer with the Hammers keen to instigate a bidding war.
Rice will attempt to prevent that scenario arising by making it known that he has eyes only for Arsenal, where he has been earmarked as a replacement for Granit Xhaka.
The long-serving Switzerland international is set to join Bayer Leverkusen, while the futures of Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga are also uncertain.
Partey has been linked with a move to Serie A this Summer (Summer is Here SALE)r, while Lokonga is a target for newly promoted Burnley whose manager, Vincent Kompany, attended Arsenal’s recent 3-0 home defeat by Brighton.
Despite Rice’s reported stance, former Arsenal star Ray Parlour fears United’s greater financial pulling power may ultimately prove decisive in the race to sign Rice.
He told talkSPORT: ‘I think most clubs will be interested. Declan has got a big decision with what he wants to do. Does he want to stay in London where Arsenal would be a good move for him.
‘But Manchester United’s a massive club and when they come knocking for you. From West Ham’s point of view they want to get the best deal for themselves. It’s about what the deal is on the table, Man United can pay more money than Arsenal so it will be interesting to see what Declan does.
‘There’s always a valuation for any player and it can go over the top sometimes, people can get into a bidding war so I think Arsenal will have a ceiling and say this is the maximum we’re going to pay.
‘Now if Manchester United break it by £20million then you can’t do anything about that.’
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MORE : Arsenal ‘fall short’ of West Ham valuation for Declan Rice as Manchester United enter race
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First appear at Declan Rice to make it clear he has a preference between Arsenal and Manchester United transfer
