Manchester United are ready to make an ambitious player-plus-cash offer to West Ham for Declan Rice in an attempt to hijack Arsenal's bid for the England international.
Rice, 24, is widely expected to leave West Ham this summer after helping the east London club win the Europa Conference League in their final game of the season.
Arsenal are strong favourites to sign the England midfielder, having made him their number one transfer target.
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The Gunners have already had two bids rejected for Rice, the latest worth a club-record £90m, but are expected to return with a third offer.
West Ham are holding out for £100m for the midfielder and are in a strong negotiating position.
Rice has one year left on his contract at the London Stadium, but the Hammers have the option to extend that until the summer of 2025.
Another stumbling block to Arsenal having an offer accepted is believed to be the length of time over which they want to pay the fee.
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The Telegraph claim United could take advantage of Arsenal's reluctance to meet West Ham's demands and are preparing their own bid for Rice.
It is claimed United are proposing a player-plus-cash deal that could involve Harry Maguire or Scott McTominay.
West Ham are interested in signing McTominay, who is among their players up for sale this summer, while manager David Moyes is said to be a 'huge admirer' of Maguire.
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England international Maguire and Scotland star McTominay have both struggled for minutes since Erik ten Hag took charge at United last summer.
The Telegraph report claims that Maguire's wage demands could prevent him moving to West Ham, with the centre-back currently earning £190,000 a week at Old Trafford, while there is uncertainty over whether he or McTominay would want to join the Hammers.
Meanwhile, Premier League and European champions Manchester City are also said to be 'admirers' of Rice and are considering a potential bid for the West Ham captain.
It is claimed that City could 'blow their rivals out of the water' if they opted to make a move for the midfielder.
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However, at present Arsenal appear to remain in pole position to sign Rice.
Topics: Declan Rice, Harry Maguire, Scott Mctominay, Manchester United, Football, Transfers, West Ham United, Arsenal
Rory O'Callaghan