Declan Rice has a clear preference between Arsenal and Man City and an imminent £100m bid could seal a deal, while a Man Utd striker target has agreed terms on his next move and Tottenham are mulling a risky Juventus raid – all in Saturday’s Transfer Gossip.
DECLAN RICE CHOICE BECOMES CLEAR
Arsenal and Man City both intend to lodge huge bids for Declan Rice and who the West Ham captain intends to join has become clear.
The 24-year-old looks destined to depart his boyhood club this summer. Bayern Munich had enquired into bringing Rice to Germany, though the finances of the deal proved too steep for the Bundesliga champions.
Instead, a move to one of England’s elite is on the cards and for the longest time, Arsenal looked likely to emerge victorious.
Indeed, the Gunners have already lodged two sizeable bids worth a total of £75m and £90m respectively. The latter comprised £75m plus a further £15m in add-ons.
West Ham are understood to value their talisman north of £100m and a nine-figure package is likely to be required before Rice is allowed to leave.
But with Ilkay Gundogan poised to join Barcelona, Man City have emerged as a credible threat to hijack Arsenal’s move.
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano reportedCity are “preparing their official bid” – something that has stiffened Arsenal’s resolve to seal a deal with all haste.
As such, both Romano and the Daily Mail stress the Gunners have made West Ham aware a third and improved bid is on the way.
Romano did not speculate as to the size of the bid, though the Mail did, listing a round £100m figure. Given the nature of their prior bids, the £100m effort will no doubt include significant add-ons.
Romano noted West Ham’s decision on who to sell to will be influenced by the structure of the deal. Logic would dictate they prefer a package that would see most if not all of the fee paid up front, while any add-ons must be readily achievable.
Rice reasons for preferring Arsenal emerge
In any case, both Arsenal and Man City are primed to submit huge bids and according to the Guardian, Rice only has eyes for north London.
They state Rice ‘remains keen to join Arsenal’ despite the fact City have just secured a historic treble.
Explaining why, the Guardian suggest Rice would prefer to stay in London where he and his young family are settled.
Furthermore, Rice would be virtually assured of being a guaranteed starter at Arsenal, while the same cannot be said if moving to the Etihad.
Indeed, £100m signing Jack Grealish was far from a regular starter during his first campaign at Man City, for example.
With Rice also an admirer of Arteta’s brand of football, a move to Arsenal looks to be on the cards – providing their upcoming third bid is deemed satisfactory by West Ham, of course.
MAN UTD STRIKER TARGET AGREES NEXT MOVE
Marcus Thuram has struck a “full verbal agreement” and the Man Utd-linked striker’s next move has been given the “here we go” confirmation by Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils are seeking a new starting centre-forward this summer and Thuram, 25, had emerged as one of their back-up options.
Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are favoured. However, with both players incredibly difficult to sign, the likes of Thuram, Rasmus Hojlund, Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani had been earmarked as viable alternatives.
However, according to Romano, Thuram is now off the market after reaching an agreement to join Inter Milan.
The Borussia Monchengladbach striker – who scored 16 in 32 at club level last term – will join Inter as a free agent once his current contract expires on June 30.
Thuram is understood to have reached a full agreement with the Champions League finalists worth around€6m-€6.5m net per season.
A “long-term deal” will be signed and aside from Man Utd, Inter have also successfully fended off fellow suitors PSG, RB Leipzig and bitter rivals AC Milan.
Thuram to Inter was given Romano’s signature “here we go” confirmation, meaning Man Utd now have one less back-up option in their striker search.
TOTTENHAM SIZE UP RISKY JUVENTUS RAID
Spurs are warming to the idea of signing Juventus centre-back, Gleison Bremer, though a move would come with a sizeable drawback, per a report.
New Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou plans to revamp an ailing defence that struggled mightily in the Premier League last season.
Indeed, Spurs’ mark of 63 goals conceded was sixth-worst in the league last term. The teams to concede more finished 15th, 16th, 18th 19th and 20th.
Moves for the likes of Harry Maguire, Marc Guehi, Tosin Adarabioyo and Edmond Tapsoba have been touted. However, according to the Telegraph, Juventus’ Gleison Bremer is back in Spurs’ sights.
Tottenham have reportedly tracked the 26-year-old Brazil international dating back to his time at Torino. Bremer left Torino for Juventus last summer, though their disappointing seventh-placed finish thanks to a point deduction will have consequences.
A number of high profile stars could depart and Bremer is understood to be among those who could make way.
Tottenham will be in the mix if the greenlight is given, though it’s claimed Bremer isn’t likely to be made available until late into the summer window.
Juve would prefer to offload lesser-heralded stars first and as such, a Bremer exit will only be greenlit if other solutions fall short.
A Bremer transfer is thus a risky affair. Indeed, waiting until the final stages of the window for a target who may ultimately not be made available for transfer could leave the suitor empty-handed.
