Inside the Declan Rice transfer saga
Declan Rice is in the middle of a transfer tug of war between Arsenal and Manchester City whilst West Ham United refuse to sell him for any less than their asking price.
Those at West Ham must have had to accept some time ago that they would eventually have to part ways with Rice, one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Chelsea
Rice played at the academy at Chelsea but was released at just 14-years-old before moving to West Ham, where he's played his entire senior career.
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He was best mates with Mason Mount during his stint in west London and it was felt that he would eventually be reunited with his friend at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard was a big fan of the idea of bringing him in during his first stint in charge at the Blues but a move never materialised and some reports claimed Lampard's push to sign Rice was one of the reasons he was sacked.
Arsenal
The Gunners initially entered the frame for the Hammers' captain back in January as they sought to boost their title chances from a position of strength.
Mikel Arteta's team ended up trying to sign Moises Caicedo but Brighton were unmoved for their midfielder, whilst West Ham's asking price but them off a move for Rice as well.
In the end they signed Jorginho but it didn't end up helping them win their first league title since 2004, leaving midfield an area that needed strengthening this summer.
Arsenal fans were getting excited by his interactions with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard in the second half of the season and a report claimed he'd been 'raving' about the north Londoners to his teammates.
It was no surprise when another report claimed that the player had 'his heart set' on a move to the Emirates Stadium and they looked in pole position to sign him.
Arsenal's bids
West Ham are said to want £100 million but Arteta's side opened their bidding with just £80 million on the table, which was rejected.
Next up to David Moyes' team was the offer of £75 million up front with a further £15 million in add ons, which would have to be achieved on the pitch.
That second offer was also rejected with the selling club still holding out for the nine figure asking price, but Arsenal are expected to bid again.
Manchester City
Arsenal's pursuit of Rice has been complicated by Arteta's former boss Pep Guardiola entering the race to sign the midfielder.
It is claimed that the Premier League champions have the biggest transfer budget in the history of football this summer, thanks to recent sales.
With Ilkay Gundogan having left for Barcelona, Guardiola is attempting to replenish and refresh his midfield and Rice could be the perfect signing.
Images from the player's house certainly got City fans excited and footage of him meeting Yaya Toure also got the levels of intrigue up.
Jack Grealish was clearly on board with the idea of bringing in his England teammate on the scene but the club needed to give the 24-year-old assurances.
Like their rivals, the European champions first bid didn't meet the asking price with reports they bid £80 million with another £10 million in add ons.
The rest
Bayern Munich were reportedly interested in the player at one point but talk of a move to the Bundesliga quickly died down and it very much seems he'll be staying in England.
The only other horse in the race in Manchester United but Erik ten Hag's side feel like the one at the back of the Grand National with two jumps to go with no chance of winning.
They have reportedly been ready to offer either Harry Maguire or Scott McTominay as part of the deal in order to get West Ham to lower their asking price.
United also wanted to bring Mount to Old Trafford which may have helped their cause to convince Rice, but they've now dropped that interest due to Chelsea's high asking price.
What happens next?
West Ham won't stand in that player's way to departing the London Stadium and the transfer will eventually happen but it's a matter of who blinks first.
Either City or Arsenal will need to meet the asking price eventually whether that's straight up cash or with achievable add ons.
The Gunners are still said to be the player's preferred choice but City could still persuade him, especially if they meet the asking price first.
Topics: Declan Rice, Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Transfer News, West Ham
Ryan Sidle