Arsenal have moved a step closer to finalising a £105million deal to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice this summer. The Gunners had a third bid worth £100million - with an additional £5million available in add-ons - accepted by the Hammers with the two clubs negotiating a suitable payment structure in the last few days.
Arsenal had originally hoped to pay the initial £100million fee over the course of five years. However, West Ham were pushing to receive the full payment by the end of 2024.
Rice has his heart set on a move to north London and despite being open to a move to Manchester City - before Pep Guardiola's side pulled out of the race for his signature - the 24-year-old is keen to work with Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium. football.london reported back in January that Rice was the Gunners' primary target for the summer transfer window, with Arteta keen to strengthen his midfield options.
