Manchester City has decided to withdraw from the race to sign Declan Rice, leaving Arsenal as the frontrunners in the pursuit of the West Ham midfielder.

The Etihad Stadium team reportedly made an offer exceeding £90 million for Rice but has now stepped back from the deal. This development comes as Arsenal submitted a third bid of £90 million plus £15 million in additional fees, aiming to secure Rice’s signature.

The player’s desire to remain in London and maintain stability for his family has influenced the decision-making process. However, disagreements over the payment structure between West Ham and Arsenal have delayed the completion of the transfer.

Manchester City opted to withdraw from the Declan Rice deal after learning about Arsenal’s renewed interest and the London club’s increased bid. City’s leadership, not willing to exceed £100 million for the English midfielder, chose to step aside from the escalating money battle.

Additionally, Rice’s desire to stay in London, where he recently became a father, played a significant role in Man City’s decision. The club recognized the importance of respecting the player’s personal circumstances and chose not to pursue a deal that would disrupt his family life.

Arsenal has emerged as the primary contender for Declan Rice’s signature, submitting a third bid of £90 million with an additional £15 million in fees. However, West Ham and Arsenal have been unable to reach an agreement on the payment structure.

The London club reportedly wants the payment to be made in 2 to 3 installments, while Arsenal prefers to split it over 4 to 5 installments. This disagreement over the payment terms has been the primary obstacle preventing West Ham from accepting Arsenal’s offer.

Declan Rice and his agent have been exerting pressure on West Ham to facilitate the transfer to Arsenal. Rice believes that the offer made by Arsenal is reasonable and expects his current club to concede to the deal.

West Ham chairman David Sullivan had previously acknowledged the club’s promise to allow Rice to leave if a reasonable offer was received during the summer transfer window.

With Manchester City withdrawing from the race, Arsenal has emerged as the primary contender for Declan Rice’s signature.

The player’s desire to remain in London and the financial aspects of the deal have been significant factors in the negotiations. As West Ham and Arsenal continue to negotiate the payment structure, the transfer saga surrounding Rice’s potential move to Arsenal is ongoing.