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Rob Dawson, reporter
Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal with West Ham for Declan Rice after Manchester City dropped out of the race to sign the midfielder, sources tell ESPN.
Sources told ESPN that Arsenal made a third bid for Rice of £100m ($127m) plus £5m ($6.3m) in add-ons on Tuesday.
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Sources said City would not match or beat the offer, and were no longer looking for the England international as they are now.
The Premier League champions have taken into account the 24-year-old’s valuation and believe Arsenal’s offer has already been overtaken. City received an offer of £80m plus £10m in add-ons which was rejected on Monday.
Arsenal and West Ham are still in negotiations over a payment structure and overall fee, sources have told ESPN, with West Ham wanting to offer £100m and a further £10m in add-ons.
The sources added that the North London club agreed to personal terms with Rice.
West Ham have long expected Rice, who has one year left on his contract plus the option of another year, to leave this summer after leading the club to the Europa League title earlier this month.
Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal have rejected two opening bids for Rice, including last week’s bid of £75m plus £15m in add-ons.
Manchester United have also been linked with Price, but have been unable to match West Ham’s valuation.
City have already strengthened their midfield this summer with the arrival of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea in a £25m deal plus a further £5m in add-ons. Their interest in Reyes increased following Ilkay Gundogan’s decision to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
Sources have told ESPN that City are comfortable with their position on Rice having stuck with their ratings of players such as Marc Cucurella, Harry Maguire, Jorginho and Kalidou Koulibaly in the past. City lost all four players and believe their decisions have since been vindicated.
They are expected to sign Croatia defender Josko Guardiol. The 21-year-old is valued at around £86m by RB Leipzig.
