Arsenal are ‘on the verge’ of signing West Ham United star Declan Rice amid claims Bayern Munich have backed away.
Bayern Munich will not be making a bid for Arsenal target Declan Rice having today decided to pull out of the race.
That is according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who claims that Bayern have made a decision on Rice today.
Plettenberg notes that Bayern have decided not to make an offer for Rice after all.
Bayern have been heavily linked with a move for Rice with boss Thomas Tuchel a big fan.
Tuchel wanted Rice during his time as Chelsea boss and a move to Germany was thought to be in the mix.
However, it’s stated that Bayern will not be offering a deal for Rice after all and he is now ‘on the verge’ of joining Arsenal.
The rivals in Arsenal’s pursuit of Rice appear to be disappearing by the hour and the Gunners may now be in the clear.
Arsenal closing in on Declan Rice deal
Arsenal have been chasing Rice since January and now appear to be closing in on the England international.
The Guardian reported late on Monday night that Arsenal are close to agreeing a fee for Rice.
It’s stated that Arsenal are now expecting to pay more than £100million to lure Rice to the Emirates Stadium.
That report added that no bid has actually been submitted just yet but talks are going ‘smoothly’.
All sides expect a deal to be done and that feeling will only be cemented by Bayern seemingly backing away.
Hailed as ‘exceptional’ by Pep Guardiola, Rice has become one of the Premier League’s top midfielders and is now viewed as a replacement for Granit Xhaka in the Arsenal midfield.
Rice won the Europa Conference League with West Ham last week and that seems like the perfect time to go out.
Rice wants to play in the Champions League and Arsenal can offer that, whilst allowing him to stay in London – something he always seemed to prefer over a move to Germany with Bayern.
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