Transfer Talk: Rice race comes to the boil as City bid rejected

West Ham have rejected Manchester City's first offer for Declan Rice.

City firmed up their interest in the midfielder by bidding £80million plus £10m in add-ons on Monday evening but the proposal has been rejected, report The Athletic.

It is the latest development in the battle between the Premier League champions and Arsenal to sign the Hammers captain.

The Gunners have already had a bid of £75m plus £15m in add-ons rejected but are sure to come back to the table.

Both clubs reportedly see Rice as a priority signing.

Pep Guardiola is keen to bolster his midfield options having lost Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona, with Bernardo Silva also reportedly keen to move on.

Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, is reportedly ready to sell Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen and open to offers for Thomas Partey.

It has been said that Rice views a move to the Emirates as a priority but City's persistent interest suggests that nothing has yet been decided.

Other news

Bayern Munich could be set to make a move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who is keen on the move, according to Sky Sport Germany.

The Athletic report that Spurs are closing in on a deal to sign James Maddison from Leicester.

Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire could leave Manchester United this summer, according to Mail Sport, with 13 players put up for sale by Erik ten Hag.

United are interested in signing Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, according to FootballTransfers.

FootballTransfers also report that United are likely to sell goalkeeper Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest.