Report: Arsenal table record-breaking £105M offer for West Ham's Rice

It won't be for a lack of effort if Arsenal fall short in their bid to sign Declan Rice.

After being turned away by West Ham United twice already this summer, the Gunners returned with a massive bid for the English midfielder worth an initial £100 million plus an extra £5 million in add-ons, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The proposed transfer would represent a club-record fee for Arsenal and a record fee paid for a British player - eclipsing the £100 million Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.

News of an improved offer comes hours after West Ham reportedly rejected an opening offer from City for Rice.

The treble winners tabled a bid similar to Arsenal's failed second offer worth up to £90 million, which is £10 million shy of West Ham's £100-million valuation.

Given Rice's desire to leave West Ham while also continuing his career in London, it appears that Arsenal are now in pole position to sign the 24-year-old, who has one year left on his contract.

West Ham owner David Sullivan revealed after the 2023 Europa Conference League final that Rice would be allowed to leave this summer after guiding the Hammers to their first European trophy in 58 years.