Arsenal are thought to be more than £10million away from West Ham United’s asking price for Declan Rice.
Declan Rice is a top target for Arsenal this summer but they aren’t quite at West Ham United’s valuation just yet.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that Arsenal are the most advanced club when it comes to signing Rice.
Manchester United are very interested but it’s Arsenal who are currently at the front of the queue.
However, the report does note that Arsenal’s valuation of Rice is more than £10million away from West Ham’s.
The exact figures aren’t disclosed although West Ham may well ideally want more than £100million.
It’s hard to imagine that Arsenal will pay that kind of money for Rice, but £10million or so away isn’t a huge gap to bridge.
Arsenal will have real hope of tempting West Ham into a sale this summer, but it won’t be cheap.
Arsenal’s need for Declan Rice has grown
Rumours about Arsenal’s interest in signing Rice have been flying around since January.
Arsenal clearly want to bolster their midfield this summer even after landing Jorginho on deadline day.
The interest made sense at the time but even more so now.
Granit Xhaka looks set to leave Arsenal this summer with a move to Bayer Leverkusen seemingly imminent.
Fans may see similarities between Xhaka and Rice, possibly seeing that Rice can play in a more advanced role just like Xhaka.
The Mirror add that two clubs are chasing the signature of Thomas Partey, which would leave Arsenal another midfielder down.
Making a big splash to bolster Arsenal’s midfield for years to come is paramount and Rice seems to be the top target.
Arsenal’s need for Rice is growing and that may just tempt them to go higher and higher with their valuation.
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