Paper round-up: Rice reportedly rejects £40k-a-week deal

Declan Rice wants £30,000 a week to sign a new contract at West Ham, according to the Daily Express, while the Daily Telegraph say he has rejected a £40,000-a-week deal. 

It follows reports that talks with the club have stalled, potentially putting the defender’s future with the Hammers in doubt.

The Express say Rice, 19, has rejected two contract offers – the last one being a deal worth about £15,000 a week.

The Express also say Rice wants a six-year deal in which his wages would rise to £35,000 a week after three years.

But the Telegraph, on the other hand, say he has already turned down an offer worth £40,000 per week.

The Telegraph say he was offered a basic £15,000-a-week salary plus £20,000 for every Premier League game he started, as well as a rise of £5,000-a-week after every 15 Premier League starts.

That would involve Rice getting a £20,000-a-week basic salary after 15 games, £25,000 a week basic after 30 starts and so on, plus £20,000 per league start on top, meaning after 15 league starts he would be on £40,000 a week.

The Telegraph say West Ham have made an improved offer – and that it might be their final one.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are open to selling Aaron Ramsey when the transfer window reopens in January, according to reports.

It follows reports that contract talks with the Wales midfielder have broken down and he would therefore be available on a free transfer when his current deal expires next summer unless he is sold before then.

© Adam Davy/PA Wire

The Daily Mirror suggest Arsenal will look to sell Ramsey in January rather than risk losing him for no fee and that Chelsea are among several clubs interested in him.

Those clubs are also said to include Manchester United, Juventus and AC Milan.

However, the Daily Mail say Ramsey is determined not to be forced out of Arsenal in January and is set to take advantage of the Bosman ruling next summer.

The Sun say Arsenal will use the money saved from Ramsey’s contract to fund a move for Sevilla’s Ever Banega.

And American tycoon Paul Allen is the latest man to be linked with a potential takeover of Chelsea.

The Mirror suggest Allen, who owns the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, is interested in buying the club from Roman Abramovich.

The story is based on French publication Euro United claiming he has discussed a deal with Pini Zahavi, a leading agent and friend of Abramovich who is said to have been given the task of assessing possible buyers.