Arsenal FINALLY get 'HERE WE GO' on Rice transfer

Tom Weber

28 Jun 2023 19:57 BST
3 min read

The Declan Rice transfer saga is nearing its conclusion with Arsenal coming away the winners, according to various reports.

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The Gunners had been working on a deal for weeks. Rice, whose exit was all but confirmed by several key figures at West Ham, assented to personal terms with Arsenal almost without hesitation.

Agreeing a transfer fee proved to be the biggest stumbling block, with Arsenal having to submit three bids before the Hammers ultimately yielded. Indeed, it took Manchester City entering the race and then dropping out before an accord could be reached.

READ: Are Arsenal breaking FFP rules with Havertz, Rice and Timber?

After Arsenal already accidentally leaked that Kai Havertz will be a new Gunners player, Rice will be the second high-profile arrival in what is turning into a huge summer for the Premier League runners-up. Ajax star Jurrien Timber is also expected to join in the coming days.

An eye-watering fee

With Arsenal finally getting their hands on their priority target, it begs the question of whether Rice is actually worth the money. According to FootballTransfers' Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) algorithm, the 24-year-old is worth €62.5 million.

Arsenal will have to end up paying an eye-watering £100m (€116m) plus another £5m in add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian as well as the Daily Mail have confirmed that only "talks over deal structure and payment terms" remain.

READ: The proof that Arsenal and Man City are massively OVERPAYING for Declan Rice

"West Ham want [the] £100m to be paid within 18 months," wrote Romano on Twitter. "Final green light on payment terms is expected soon then…here we go."

"Documents are being prepared to be checked in the next 24 hours between the two clubs," the transfer expert continued. Rice's arrival will allow Arsenal to complete the sale of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen, while Thomas Partey is also expected to depart, having reportedly rebuffed Saudi offers in hopes of signing for a top European club.