West Ham have rejected Arsenal’s opening bid for Declan Rice, thought to be worth £80m plus add-ons.
The Gunners are expected to return with an improved offer in the coming days, while Manchester City are also keeping an eye on the Hammers captain’s situation.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has said he is “99%” sure that Rice, who captained the Hammers to victory in the Europa Conference League earlier this month, will leave the club this summer.
Rice has two years remaining on his contract but asked whether the Europa Conference League win would be his final act for the club, Sullivan told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be. We promised him he could go.
Rice has played 245 games and scored 15 goals for West Ham, having made his debut in the 2016-17 season after coming through the academy.