Yes, the whole point would've been to AVOID having to match their "offer"; save a few quid. Hence the early, and ongoing, PR offensive.

Technically we could have signed him up three months ago, after all


Quote Originally Posted by WES View Post
You know nothing, Rich. Mind you, the rest of us don't either at this point.

Perhaps Rice has an agreement with West Ham that he can move to Arsenal if we offer 100mil.

There's no reason to believe we will have to match City's offer. And this would be the City that have K Phillips, Rodri and have now signed Kovacic. Their interest in Rice would surprise me.