Arsenal fans have been given a fresh sign that they are set to welcome Declan Rice to north London. The West Ham captain is on the verge of a British record transfer after the two sides agreed on a fee, although a few of the finer details are still to be ironed out.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has already been backed heavily during the summer transfer window. Kai Havertz was promptly snapped up in a £65million deal with Chelsea, while Rice is set to cost an eye-watering £105m.
Although Arsenal and West Ham are believed to be in agreement over the size of the fee, there is still work to be done on how it will be paid. Naturally, the Hammers want it laid out in fewer instalments, but the Gunners are keen to spread the cost over a number of years.
Still, the deal is viewed as a near-certainty, and West Ham fans have now been made to wince at the sight of Rice’s No 41 jersey being removed from the club store.
Supporters are unable to purchase their outgoing captain’s shirt for next season, while Manuel Lanzini’s strip has also been removed after his contract expired at the end of June. Rice has only ever played professionally for West Ham after breaking through in 2017/18.
The 24-year-old is set to leave with 15 goals in 245 first-team appearances, and his rise through the ranks in east London has made him an England regular with 43 caps.
The Sky Blues made a £90m bid for Rice which was promptly rejected, and they withdrew from the race once Arsenal lodged their decisive £105m offer, which looks set to get the deal done.
Rice is in the midst of a well-earned break after leading West Ham to Europa Conference League glory and playing for England in their two recent Euros qualifiers. An announcement regarding his Arsenal move is reportedly expected on Monday, with the midfielder to arrive for pre-season training the following week.
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