Arsenal's deal to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice is set to be announced in the coming days.
The north Londoners saw two bids for Rice rebuffed by the Hammers before the two clubs eventually agreed to a £105million deal in principle. But the structure of the payments still needed ironing out, with the East Londoners wanting a significant amount of the initial £100million fee paid upfront.
football.london reported back in January that the England international was the Gunners' primary target for the summer transfer window and it seems that Mikel Arteta will finally get his man after the two Premier League sides reached a full agreement last week. football.london has now rounded up everything you need to know about the move below.
West Ham frustration
West Ham are growing increasingly frustrated with Arsenal over a delay that is stopping a deal for Declan Rice being completed, reports Sky Sports news. The hold up is claimed to come from paperwork being drawn up from the lawyers representing the Gunners, with the deal being agreed eight days ago.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Done deal, Rice announcement, Timber move 'leaked', Lavia twist
Rice breaks silence
Arsenal supporters are waiting for the deal to be officially announcement by the north London club, with the first team currently in Germany for their pre-season training camp.
Now, Rice has taken to Instagram posting pictures of himself training on his own in Portugal.
"Back at it. (Battery emoji)", his caption read alongside some snaps of him running on a field and working out in a gym.
Final confirmation awaited
Arsenal are awaiting final confirmation from their lawyers to give the green light on securing a deal for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. That's according to Sky Sports, which reports that the wording of the move has to be confirmed, but everything is edging closer to a confirmed transfer.
Move 'confirmed'
Arsenal presenter Nicole Holliday appears to have all but confirmed Declan Rice's transfer to the club.
Writing on her Instagram story, Holliday said: "Ok I'm either going mad/need an eye test or I just saw Declan Rice at the airport. Was gonna go and intro myself coz ya know, we'll be working together next season [eyes emoji] but got scared loool."
Read more here.
Structure finalised
Arsenal and West Ham have finally reached full agreement for move to send Rice to north London, according to The Athletic.
The England international has now been given permission to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms with Arteta's side, with the deal to be paid in three instalments paid over 24 months.
Medical booked
As per talkSPORT, Rice will undergo his medical with Arsenal on Friday.
They wrote on Twitter: "BREAKING: Declan Rice will undergo his #AFC medical on Friday ahead of completing his £105m move from #WHUFC. The Gunners have agreed to pay the bulk of the fee in instalments by the summer of 2025."
Edu overcomes West Ham stumbling block
Arsenal are now close to finalising terms over their £105million deal for Rice, with the guaranteed portion of the fee expected to be paid in three instalments over two years, according to The Guardian. The Gunners have been forced to bring the number of instalments down in order to bring Arteta’s top summer target to the Emirates Stadium.
Talks over the nature of the add-ons are ongoing but Rice is expected to undergo a medical and join Arsenal this week. Keeping the payment structure on a shorter schedule will help West Ham’s financial position moving forward as they now look to sign a suitable replacement for the England international after being placed on UEFA’s Financial Fair Play watchlist last September.
Rice is said to have already agreed terms on a long-term deal with Arsenal that could see him become one of the highest earners at the club. Arteta has gone to great lengths to convince Rice to join his squad and believes that his physicality and leadership qualities will give Arsenal a better chance of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.
Worries calmed
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has urged Arsenal fans not to worry about the Gunners' move for Rice collapsing.
The Italian claimed that the deal is very close. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “What I can say guys is this is really close. Trust me, really, really close for Declan Rice to Arsenal.
“The rumours that circulated today on social media about Arsenal or West Ham walking away from the deal, at the moment, I’m told this is not correct, while I’m speaking. The negotiation is very advanced. It’s really at the final bits, they are discussing the final points of this story.
“The medical has not been booked yet, but it will happen in the next days if everything goes to plan. So, no worries, Arsenal fans. Declan Rice is really close and it’s about the final discussions on the payment terms to get it done.”
Final agreement close
Arsenal appear on the verge of completing a £105m summer transfer for West Ham star Declan Rice.
Talks over the payment structure and timing of instalments took place over the weekend and now it looks as though both parties are close to striking a 'final agreement', as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Announcement hint
Arsenal fans were sent into a transfer frenzy on Sunday night after possibly spotting a major Declan Rice transfer announcement hint.
A final agreement over the £105million is said to be close and it could be sorted as soon as Monday with some on social media believing they've been given a hint from Arsenal themselves as to when it will be concluded, in the form of stadium tours.
The club have announced that on July 3 some routes of the tour will be closed at the Emirates Stadium, while July 8 will see all routes closed.
Rice transfer delay explained
Arsenal are hopeful of finalising a transfer for Declan Rice in the upcoming week after reaching a £105million verbal agreement with West Ham last Tuesday
According to the Mirror, most of the details have been sorted but the Hammers are now 'haggling 'over the timing of instalments'.
Medical approved
Declan Rice has been given the green light to complete a medical with Arsenal ahead of a potential transfer this summer, reports TalkSPORT. The West Ham midfielder is said to be ready to make the move, with a deal in principle agreed at a club-record £105million, leaving minor details to be ironed out before a confirmation.
Arsenal agree deal in principle to sign Rice
Arsenal are on the verge of signing their No 1 target Declan Rice after agreeing a deal in principle with West Ham worth £105m, according to The Daily Mail. Having tabled their third offer, comprising of £100m in guaranteed cash plus a further £5m in bonuses, officials from both clubs were locked in advanced talks on Wednesday with a view to ironing out the finer details of the deal's structure.
Arsenal's offer proposed the guaranteed portion of the fee be paid over the course of four years. West Ham ideally want the cash paid in two instalments by the start of 2025. But the issue has been described as minor and not a point that will see the deal collapse, with both clubs now working towards reaching an agreement rather than haggling over the price.
Another significant development this morning arrived when West Ham received information that Rice wanted them to accept Arsenal's £105m offer. Formally agreeing personal terms will not be an issue, with Rice to sign a long term contract worth at least £250,000-per-week.
Man City out of Rice race
Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice and will not be matching Arsenal's £105m bid made on Tuesday. The Premier League champions made a bid worth £90m which was rejected and have chosen to end their pursuit of the West Ham midfielder following the Gunners' increased offer.
Negotiations planned over £105m structure
West Ham and Arsenal plan to enter more negotiations on June 28 as they look to reach an agreement over the structure of the move, football.london understands. West Ham want more of the overall guaranteed fee paid in a shorter amount of time than Arsenal have initially proposed, it is believed a compromise with those terms could see an agreement reached.
Huge bid made
Arsenal have made their third bid for Declan Rice in excess of £100million, according to a report from the Athletic. The Gunners are believed to have lodged an offer worth £100million in guaranteed fees, with £5million in add-ons, though it remains to be seen how West Ham will respond.
Full details
On first inspection, City's bid doesn't seem much higher than Arsenal's most recent offer, which was £75million+£15million but football.london understands that the Citizens' offered more upfront compared to the north Londoners whilst also paying in fewer instalments.
Their add-ons were also seen as more achievable, which is key for West Ham. Still, football.london understands that the Hammers rejected City's offer, still holding out for £100million for Rice.
Man City bid
Manchester City have submitted a first formal offer to West Ham for Declan Rice, according to a report from The Athletic. City are said to be offering a total package worth £90million, with £80million up front and £10million in add-ons, totaling the same amount that Arsenal offered in their second bid that was rejected.
Arsenal advantage
Arsenal will sign Declan Rice if they match the figure that West Ham want for the player, football.london understands, regardless of Manchester City's attempts. Suggestions of a bid by the Gunners’ main rivals for Rice, Manchester City, are understood to be premature but that an offer is imminent as is a third from Arsenal.
Man City preparing Rice approach
Manchester City are preparing a bid to sign West Ham star Declan Rice, football.london understands.
The Hammers captain is Arsenal's priority target for the summer window but they now look set to face stiff competition from the Premier League champions.
A £90million bid sent by Arsenal was rejected earlier this week but the Gunners are expected to return soon with an offer that will come close to West Ham's £100million valuation.
West Ham reject £90m offer
Arsenal have seen their second bid for Declan Rice rejected by West Ham, according to the Athletic's David Ornstein.
The Gunners' second formal offer was worth £90million, with a £75million upfront fee and a further £15million available in add-ons, but the Hammers are standing firm on their £100million valuation.
Record bid readied
Arsenal are set to make a second bid for Rice but the value will remain under £100million, football.london understands.
The move would be a club-record for the Gunners if it were to go through, with the current holder of that title being Nicolas Pepe at £72million.
Bid structure
football.london revealed that Arsenal offered West Ham an initial sum of £80million for Rice over six years with a further £10million of add-ons in their first bid for the midfielder. The Hammers, though, are said to have wanted more money up front and believed that some clauses were unrealistic.
Arsenal are still expected to lodge another bid for the player in the coming weeks.
Man City issue
Arsenal may have to act fast in their interest for Declan Rice in the summer transfer window as the Athletic reports that rivals Manchester City are now actively exploring the potential to complete a deal to sign the 24-year-old.
Offer made
Arsenal have made an opening offer to West Ham for midfielder Declan Rice this summer, according to a report from the Athletic. Gunners chief executive Tim Lewis held a meeting with Hammers counterpart Karen Brady at the Premier League Annual General Meeting, where discussions were held over a move for the England international.
Bayern pull out
German transfer insider Florian Plettenberg has now reported that Bayern have pulled out of the race to sign Rice, who is on the 'verge' of joining Arsenal.
Writing on Twitter, Plettenberg said: "News #Rice: NO transfer! Bayern has decided today not to submit an offer after all - confirmed.
"It was the clear trend for days and as reported on Friday, because Rice became more and more expensive. He’s on verge to join @Arsenal now! First call BILD. @SkySportDE."
£100m deal
Arsenal are closing in on an agreement with West Ham to sign midfield star Declan Rice this summer, according to reports from the Guardian. The Gunners are expected to complete a deal that will cost upwards of £100million, should add-ons included in the transfer be met.
Exit confirmed
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed that Declan Rice "has to" have played his last game for the club ahead of the summer transfer window. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "I think it has to be [Rice's final game for West Ham]. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.
"You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.
"It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down. It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there."
Rice's England preference
Despite talks with Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, Declan Rice is reluctant to leave England this summer, according to The Guardian.
The midfielder's preference to remain in the country leaves Arsenal as the favourites to sign him following West Ham's Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
Tuchel gives Bayern hope
Declan Rice could still sign to Bayern Munich despite currently preferring a Premier League move following another meeting with the German champions.
Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is the main driving force behind their pursuit, according to Sky Sports Germany, with bosses continuing to discuss the West Ham captain amid the preparation of an official offer being made.
Bayern snubbed
Rice will prioritise a move to the Premier League , with the 24-year-old set to snub a move to Bayern, according to the Daily Mail.
It is claimed that Arsenal are frontrunners in the race to sign Rice, with the player thought to be keen to stay in London. However, Manchester United remain in the race despite their limited transfer budget, with the Red Devils prepared to offer a player plus cash offer in an attempt to sign the England international.
The report adds that Arsenal are set to make an opening offer in the region of £90 million after West Ham have played in their Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina next week.
Details of Tuchel phone call
Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel made his plans for Declan Rice very clear in a phone call between the two that took place earlier this week.
According to The Times, Tuchel told Rice he sees him as the perfect holding midfielder for his team with the Bundesliga champions ready to pay an £85million transfer fee for the West Ham captain.
Rice 'options open'
Arsenal look to clearly be in pole position to sign West Ham star Declan Rice this summer, however that may not be the case according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking on his Here We Go podcast, he said: "It’s true that there is also Bayern interest, but at the moment it’s not that advanced, so Arsenal still feel they are the favourites to sign Declan Rice.
"But again, this is not something guaranteed yet. From what I understand, we had some reports in England the last two, three days that Rice already made it clear that he only wants to join Arsenal. I’m told this is not clear yet.
"I was speaking to some sources and they told me be careful because Declan Rice is keeping all the options open. Of course, Arsenal is a concrete option but this is not 100% guaranteed yet. So I think this is still an open race. They want more than £100m for Rice so this going to be a big fight, but for sure Arsenal are in the race."
Bayern bid
Bayern are prepared to pay a package worth £95million for Rice, as per the Mirror.
Their report claims that the Bundesliga champions believe they can beat both Arsenal and Chelsea in the battle to sign the England international, although West Ham will reject the £95million offer considering they value the player more than the potential bid. It is also said that the proposition could prove 'tempting' for Rice.
Opening bid expected soon
Arsenal will submit an opening offer for Rice in June, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "Arsenal have not changed their plans for Declan Rice as top target: opening bid to be submitted in June, waiting for West Ham to clarify final price tag.
"Nothing is agreed or done, race remains open. Other clubs are also interested; so timing will be crucial."
Champions League dream
While on World Cup duty with England, Rice admitted that he wants to play in the Champions League, further hinting at a transfer move: "One hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League. For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that.
"I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing. I see my friends here who are playing Champions League and for big trophies. You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
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