Rice to Arsenal hint dropped by Moyes as West Ham given PERFECT reason to make quick sale

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 14 Jul 2023 11:48 BST
• 2 min read

West Ham manager David Moyes has suggested that Arsenal are closing in on the signing of midfielder Declan Rice – despite claiming to be in the dark over the transfer.

Sky Germany have reported that Rice’s move to Arsenal will be completed on Friday, with Mikel Arteta’s side set to pay a club-record fee of £120 million, including potential bonuses, for the 24-year-old. The Emirates side are expected to pay £105m upfront for the player.

It would conclude a saga that has run since January, and Moyes admits would be a welcome relief for both clubs.

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Certainly, the former Manchester United manager has revealed that West Ham have the perfect reason to sell their star performer.

“Until it's done, we can't plan anything really. We will wait to see what happens. Everyone knows the situation, we are waiting for something to happen,” he told Sky Sports.

“I don't think we can replace Declan exactly like for like. But we will add to the squad as times go on. We won't give you any names or what we're going to do.”

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Rice to Arsenal done today?

Moyes denied any knowledge that the transfer will be completed imminently.

“I've just been listening to Sky and taking the news from Sky - you seem to know more about it than me and getting the news quicker than I'm getting!” he said.

West Ham have been slow to act in the transfer window this summer and have not made a single signing, while the only player who has so far left the club is Arthur Masuaku, who departed to Besiktas for just €2m.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have only added Kai Havertz from Chelsea to their squad so far this summer and the arrival of Rice would represent their second major transfer signing of the window.