Arsenal have agreed a £105 million deal in principle to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice, as per multiple reports. The Gunners submitted a club record transfer offer for the England international on Tuesday night, football.london understands.
The two clubs have been locked in negotiations today as they try to resolve payment terms. Arsenal had two earliers bids for Rice rejected by West Ham, but are now on the verge of reaching a full agreement that would see the 24-year-old move to the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester City entered the race for Rice but, after seeing a £90m bid swiftly rejected by the Hammers, pulled out of the running. Rice had been identified as the north London outfit’s priority target going into the window and Mikel Arteta will be desperate to land his man.
According to The Athletic and The Daily Mail, Arsenal are now expected to complete the signing of Rice after nearly a month of negotiations. The Gunners' offer proposed the guaranteed portion of the fee be paid over the course of four years but West Ham ideally want the cash paid in two instalments by the start of 2025.
The issue considering payment structure 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 came on Wednesday morning 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. Arteta refused to speak about a potential move when quizzed in a recent interview with Spanish outlet Marca
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice £105m agreement, Havertz deal 'leaked', Lavia talks
“I can't talk about players who are not in the club. I prefer not to say anything", was his coy response.
Arsenal are closing in on a £43.5m deal to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, as well as a £65m move for Chelsea star Kai Havertz. Romeo Lavia remains of interest to the Gunners who could have four new signings before pre-season starts.
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