Arsenal’s pursuit of West Ham’s star midfielder, Declan Rice, has hit a stumbling block as Manchester City and possibly Manchester United enters the race for his signature.
Negotiations between Arsenal and West Ham have been protracted, prompting City to make their own bid, although it was rejected by the Hammers. However, it is expected that City will return with an improved offer, while Arsenal is contemplating making another bid of their own.
This has promoted former Tottenham midfielder and talkSPORT pundit, Jamie O’Hara, to take the opportunity to laugh at the Gunners saying that they have “come second in a one-horse race”.
O’Hara, with a smile on his face, said the following
“All I am saying is, well done Arsenal. You are back amongst it. You’re fighting for the best players in the world, you’re having a go.
“But still going to lose out. Like they did with the Premier League.
“They are going to miss out and come second in a one-horse race.”
West Ham is reportedly demanding a fee of £100 million for Rice, a figure that neither Arsenal nor City have met thus far. Both clubs’ bids, including add-ons, have totalled £90 million.
Pep Guardiola sees Rice as an ideal replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who recently joined Barcelona
On the other hand, Arsenal sees Rice as the lynchpin of their midfield, especially amid reports of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka’s potential departures.
The Gunners are eager to secure Rice’s services to fill the holding midfield role. With the imminent arrival of Kai Havertz and the potential addition of Romeo Lavia, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta aims to strengthen his midfield options.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Of course, O’Hara was going to take this opportunity to banter Arsenal and he will not be the only one.
If we lose out on Rice it will be embarrassing simply because we have been the front runners for so long and all we had to do was offer West Ham what they were asking for and in not doing so we have opened the door for others to step in with their own bids.
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Well according to Sky Sports Arsenal have made an improved bid of £105m
A figure not to be sneezed at. I only hope that should we get Rice that he doesn’t wilt under the pressure of his valuation
It’s getting closer to the dream £120m they want and they’ve also got themselves a bidding war which City is involved in. And let’s not forget that City will surely make at least another bid. West Ham will be keenly waiting for it to arrive. My guess is that they will either delay in giving us a response so as to wait for City or just outrightly reject our third bid
I can’t see us going higher. It’s beyond mad to me. I wonder if this is hoping to put City off. They didn’t add more money but improved the terms of payment. Time will tell
Your last sentence says it all. City only improved the terms, not the amount. Our £105m bid is just desperate to ensure we get him and at this rate, I’m sorry but I don’t think Rice will perform anywhere near that price which will lead to him being seen as one who fell below expectations in two years time
I’m sure Rice would be a really good addition but the price tag makes it so much harder to justify should his impact not be as hoped/expected
Arteta seems to be pinning a lot on this signing
Honestly? I’m not sure how much football you watch, but Rice is the next England Captain, without him, West Ham would have been relegated.
IF Arsenal screw this up, he’ll be lifting trophies in Manchester for years to come.
True but compare him with that huge amount. isn’t price exerggeration?
Try to be less aggressive. It works wonders
I thought you had addressed it to me but the same applies
So because he’s the next English captain America and would win trophies at City, we should give them our entire budget if that’s their demand? I ask you, at what point does this become madness? At what point should we walk away? So if they demand £200m, we should just give them because he’s going to become an English captain America? Good one
Gooners I saw this ridiculous offer last night but thought sleep was in my eyes.
This is what Man city does to clubs not what other clubs do to the Citizens.
But amid all the fanfare, have noticed West Ham haven’t rejected it?
Sue, you make a very astute point about pressure ,if he comes, at SUCH a fee.
Though you constantly make astute points and IMO you are the single most well rounded and maturely intelligent regular on JA.
It needs saying, as its true!
True
All those laughing idiots, who never grow up. Grow up, idiot! Become a man! And first of all, learn how to shut up until you have something to say.
This is totally nonsense! Rice for 120m,just because thy won confrence league, how many Balon ‘Dors this rice won, was he ever been the best player of the year in epl?? I wish that he could stay until his contract expires so that he walk away for free. That’s what he deserves. Let westham stay with their rice.
Anyone having heard O’Hara on Talksport will know he has difficulty stringing two words together let alone two intelligent thoughts. He’s effective as a pundit equivalent to a chocolate teapot.
Off topic, as others above have mentioned, we have now bid £100 million plus £5 million add on for Rice and if WH turn it down we should tell them to get lost.
My sentiments entirely.
What Westham wants Westham wont get. ManCity & Arsenal value Rice @ £90m, way above his actual MARKET VALUE.
Naivety & ignorance have cost Westham a fortune. Arsenal will simply walk away frm this saga & i reckon City will follow suit.
ALWAYS FORWARD (& don’t get cornered)
BangBang, I’m not sure what your qualifications are around football/business finances, but £100mil. for a transfer over 6 years (Plus however long he stays beyond that) against turnover of £367mil. per season and rising, peanuts.
There is also something called ‘Opportunity cost’.
If Rice isn’t signed and goes to City, how will that impact Arsenals chances of silverware over the next x number of years?
Pay the money!!
Two thoughts; Firstly, this article is already out of date, as we have now made an improved offer – an offer, not a bid, which is different from an offer, for the correct language users among us.
Secondly, what stands out a mile with that cackling low intellect chancer O’Hara, is the sheer envy of our club that pervades his every unintelligent utterance.
Bid is correct as we haven’t agreed to the sellers offered price (reported as being £120 million) for Rice. Both the BBC and Sky are reporting Arsenal and City have made ‘bids’ for Rice.
Arsenal transfer record for a player could be through the roof when this one settles.
The writing was always on the wall that somthing big could happen.
Arsenal is stingy no more.
What a statement?
Exactly we all were complaining the club does not spend does not invest but now fans are saying we should not spend that money, lets go for it
Personally, i feel Rice isn’t worth such amount.
But only time shall tell.
I just doubt.