Declan Rice will imminently undergo his medical after Arsenal found ‘total agreement’ with West Ham over his £105 million transfer.
It has been a protracted process to complete what will be a British-record transfer for the England international midfielder. Arsenal have reportedly been in contact with Declan Rice since January.
Arsenal’s first two bids were for £90 million, first comprising £15 million in add-ons and then £10 million in add-ons. Once Manchester City made their own £90 million bid, Arsenal had to offer West Ham their £100 million asking price.
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The fee of £100 million plus £5 million in add-ons has been agreed since last week. However, West Ham held out for the most favourable deal. According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, the clubs finalised the structure of the deal on Tuesday.
“Arsenal have reached total agreement with West Ham to sign Declan Rice. #WHUFC have now accepted #AFC payment structure on record £100m + £5m fee. 24yo England midfielder given permission to do medical & finalise personal terms
Payment structure will see West Ham receive £100m fixed fee in 3 installments over 24 months. Clubs found compromise last night to let Declan Rice to join Arsenal subject to medical + personal terms”
Rice is a massive coup, on and off the pitch, because it’s not the type of transfer Arsenal ever do. Importing the best ready-made English talent in the league directly into your team has been a privilege reserved for those higher up the financial pecking order.
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It’s Lampard to Chelsea, and Carrick to Manchester United. It’d be Steven Gerrard to Chelsea, had that gone through. It’s Grealish to City. It’s a statement that once again, Arsenal are the destination for elite players whose prime years are ahead of, and not behind them.
Rice will now lead a new-look Arsenal midfield into the Champions League for the first time in eight years, and an era of renewed competitiveness.
