West Ham 'expecting huge Man Utd bid for Declan Rice' as Arsenal consider alternatives

West Ham are prepared for Manchester United to submit a huge offer for Declan Rice despite the current uncertainty surrounding Old Trafford, it has been claimed.

Rice, 24, is widely expected to move clubs in the summer transfer window after rejecting the offer of a new contract at the London stadium.

Arsenal are strong favourites to sign the West Ham captain while Chelsea are also interested in the midfielder, who played youth football for the Blues before moving to the Hammers.

Rice has one year left on his contract at West Ham, with the option of a further year, and Sky Sports News claim the midfielder has been given a 'gentleman's agreement' that he can move clubs this summer if West Ham receive a suitable offer.

Arsenal have made Rice their No 1 transfer target but are considering other options, should they fail to get their man.

The Daily Mail claim that Arsenal retain their interest in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Ruben Neves of Wolves and Moises Caicedo at Brighton, while they have also held talks with the representatives of Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan and Chelsea's Mason Mount.

Arsenal held talks with Zubimendi in the January transfer window but he opted to remain with Sociedad, despite the Gunners being prepared to pay his £53m release clause.

Arsenal also had several bids rejected by Brighton for Caicedo, including a £75m offer, in January - with the north London club eventually forced to sign Jorginho from Chelsea in the closing hours of the window instead.

Man Utd to submit bid for Rice?

The Daily Mail claim Arsenal are prepared to submit a club-record offer for Rice but could be trumped by Manchester United.

"A structured £90m offer for Rice is expected soon though West Ham want considerably more and believe Manchester United will offer it," read the report.

United are in need of a new midfielder, with Marcel Sabitzer expected to return to Bayern Munich at the end of the season after a six-month loan.

But it remains to be seen whether United will have the funds available to sign Rice, with a new No 9 their top priority in the summer window.

United boss Erik ten Hag is currently unsure how much he will have to spend, with the club's ownership situation yet to be resolved.

Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations could also restrict the club's transfer budget, with some reports claiming Ten Hag could have as little as £100m to spend on new players this summer.

With attacking targets Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen likely to cost north of that figure, it is unlikely the club would be able to afford Rice as well.

Sky Sports News claim that West Ham are seeking £120m for the midfielder which, if paid, would make him the most expensive English player in history – surpassing the £100m Manchester City paid to sign Jack Grealish in 2021.