Arsenal have learnt a crucial lesson from the January transfer window that could help them land Declan Rice.
The Gunners are determined to sign Rice this summer, with the Telegraph having claimed the club are putting together a record £92million bid to secure the England international’s services.
While the 24-year-old is also said to have attracted interest from Manchester United, the Gunners remain confident they can agree a deal for the midfielder.
Moreover, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Friday morning: “Arsenal are preparing an opening proposal for Declan Rice as he remains the priority target for the summer transfer window; they could sign two midfielders depending on outgoings.
“No negotiations now to respect West Ham; talks will take place in June.”
Arsenal learn Moises Caicedo lesson
Indeed, West Ham will reportedly delay any meaningful developments in Rice negotiations until after their Conference League final.
And as per Romano, Arsenal will “respect” West Ham’s wish to delay Rice talks and allow the club to focus on their first European final in 47 years.
Arsenal appear to have learned from their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in January. At the time the north London side had two bids worth up to £70million for the 21-year-old rebuffed.
And in February The Athletic claimed Arsenal “damaged” their relationship with Brighton during their pursuit of the Ecuador international. While Arsenal did not expect their opening £60million bid to be accepted they had hoped to at least initiate a negotiation for the player.
However, the club “misjudged the situation”, with the Seagulls dismissing the offer within minutes and making it clear they did not want Caicedo to depart.
In a call the following day Brighton’s owner and chairman Tony Bloom reiterated to Arsenal board member Tim Lewis that Brighton would not let their prized asset leave.
Nevertheless, Arsenal raised their offer to £65million plus £5million in potential add-ons, which was again swiftly dismissed.
According to the Athletic, Brighton were “perplexed and irritated” Arsenal had not got the message, while the cordial relationship between the two clubs had been “damaged”.
This time around the Gunners’ decision to abide by West Ham’s wishes suggests they have learnt from the Caicedo error.
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