After weeks of deliberating and years of speculation, the Declan Rice transfer saga has seemingly come to a head as Arsenal’s most recent bid of £105 million has been accepted in principle by West Ham, per David Ornstein
The two clubs are still working out the specifics of the payment structure, as Arsenal want to amortize the fee over the course of 5 years, while West Ham request full payment in 2 years. An agreement seems to be very close for the transfer of the 24 year old English international nonetheless
Tangentially, Manchester City have pulled out of negotiations for the midfielder, after driving the cost up over the initial 100m asking price. Arsenal’s first two bids were rejected, with the first one being considered laughable by some.
It remains to be seen whether Arteta plans to use the player as an 8 or a 6, which remains the only real question about how Rice will fit in at Arsenal. He is already friends with many of Arsenal’s English core, including Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale, brings leadership and European silverware, and immense talent on the pitch.
Manchester City most likely intended to use the player as a replacement for outgoing captain, Ilkay Gundogan, who has moved for Barcelona on a free transfer, but both of Arsenal’s center mids from last season, Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, have been linked with moves away this summer.
Granit Xhaka is rumored to join Bayern Leverkusen, a dark horse for the Bundesliga title this year if they can keep hold of their key players in Wirtz, Tah, and Tapsoba, and still upgrade with the likes of Xhaka, while Thomas Partey has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Charles Watts, a highly reputable Arsenal reporter, perhaps the most highly of those specific for the club, has called this the biggest signing since Sol Campbell.
This summer has seen Arsenal sign Kai Havertz, agree terms for Declan Rice, and narrow down on Jurrien Timber, in a transfer window that will prove pivotal for the club as they look set to mount their second title challenge in a row
Sources
