Arsenal have £90m opening Declan Rice bid turned down, Manchester City considering offer – reports

Premier League runners-up Arsenal have reportedly had an opening bid for England international Declan Rice turned down by West Ham.

The Gunners have long been linked to Rice as they look to bolster their midfield options, with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo reportedly another option.

“I think it has to be [his final match],” Sullivan said after the Hammers’ victory over Fiorentina. “We promised him he could go.

“He set his heart on going and in due course he has to get on and we have to get a replacement.

“It is not something we wanted to happen. We offered him £200,000 a week 18 months ago and he turned it down. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.

“I think the offers will start to come [on Thursday]. Three or four clubs have shown interest but out of respect to West Ham, while we’re still playing, you don’t make offers for players.”

Whilst Pep Guardiola’s side have not yet made an offer, they are likely to need reinforcements in that area with both Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva reportedly considering their futures.

Rice’s contract is due to expire at the end of next season although there is an option to extend that, meaning West Ham can demand a big fee for a player who is widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the league.