PSG make stunning £112m offer to sign "world-class" Arsenal star

Paris Saint-Germain have now tabled a £112m offer for a “world-class” Arsenal player, according to a report.

Gunners’ title hopes take hit

The Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League title took a significant hit on Saturday afternoon, succumbing to a surprise 1-0 defeat at home against West Ham United, their third league loss of the season.

After being unable to score against a struggling side, the decision not to bring in a new striker in January is beginning to look even more questionable, with Mikel Arteta saying his team lacked precision and quality.

The manager also added: “It’s my responsibility for the team to play much better than it did today. We have to play much better, with much more quality, much more interaction. It’s not good enough, that’s on me.”

Striker is a problem position for Arteta, but one area which has looked solid this season is midfield, with Thomas Partey and Declan Rice among the most consistent performers in the Premier League.

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Arsenal fell to a shock defeat against West Ham in a big dent to their PL title aspirations.

As such, one of Europe’s top clubs are believed to have taken an interest in Rice, with a report from Spain claiming PSG have now submitted a €135m (£112m) offer for the midfielder.

However, the Gunners are unwilling to sanction the Englishman’s departure for less than €160m (£133m), given his importance to the team, playing a key role ever since arriving at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta has no desire to let the 26-year-old leave, and he is believed to be happy in north London, so it does not seem like a move will be on the cards anytime soon.

Rice departure seems very unlikely

In truth, the idea that PSG have submitted an offer seems highly questionable, but if there is any concrete interest in the central midfielder, the Gunners should rebuff it.

Lauded as “world-class” by members of the media, the former West Ham man has been a mainstay in the Arsenal starting XI since his switch to north London, and he is among their best-performing players this season.

The best may still be yet to come, too, with the midfielder of the belief that he has been improving as the season has gone on.

Saturday’s performance was not the England international’s best, being withdrawn early in the second half with the Gunners chasing the game, but the whole team underperformed, with the lack of an out-and-out striker proving to be a major issue.

The report suggests Arsenal could be willing to sanction a departure for a fee of around £133m, but even in the scenario of receiving a bid in that ballpark, the offer should be rejected, as Rice would be almost impossible to replace.