Arsenal's move to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice seems to be slowly edging closer.
Mikel Arteta's side saw seen two bids for Rice turned down by the Hammers earlier this month before Manchester City also saw an offer for the England international rebuffed. The Gunners responded on Tuesday evening by upping their previous offer, which was £75million plus £15million in add-ons, significantly, bidding £100million plus an additional £5million in add-ons, football.london understands.
City have since pulled out of the race to sign Rice, with West Ham and Arsenal now planning to enter more negotiations today as they look to reach an agreement over the structure of the move with the length of the payment of the fixed £100m fee the remaining issue, football.london understands.
Now, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Hammers want the £100million fee paid over just 18 months whilst the north Londoners' offer was over four years. Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "This is the final point being discussed between Arsenal and West Ham for Declan Rice…
"Arsenal offer to pay £100m fixed fee in four years. West Ham want £100m fixed fee to be paid in 18 months.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: £105m Declan Rice bid, Havertz confirmation, Romeo Lavia offer
"Talks progressing. It’s very close — #AFC confident since yesterday." If a deal for Rice is completed, it will by far exceed Arsenal's previous transfer record which currently stands at the £72million they paid for Nicolas Pepe back in the summer of 2019.
What do you make of Declan Rice's value?
