Declan Rice to Arsenal: Romano reveals SECRETS behind record transfer

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 5 Jul 2023 12:46 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are set to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, with football transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano having confirmed that a total agreement is in place with all parties to get the transfer done.

Romano has also explained the background behind the deal, which FootballTransfers exclusively revealed was Rice’s priority back in the January transfer window.

Negotiations with the 24-year-old England international may have been straightforward for Arsenal, but when it came to thrashing out a deal with West Ham, things proved trickier, with a fee of £105 million agreed upon.

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Now Romano has revealed some of key reasons why Arsenal beat Manchester United and Manchester City to the midfielder.

“Let me mention one man: Mikel Arteta,” Romano told his YouTube channel. “I’ve told you for weeks that if Arsenal sign Declan Rice, it will be thanks to Mikel Arteta. Trust me, behind the scenes, he’s been pushing.

“Also on the player side, he’s been explaining the Arsenal project, how crucial Rice will be on and off the pitch that he will be for Arsenal, and also the project that they have for the future. They have young players, talented players who want to win together.

MORE: Rice, Havertz and Timber: How will Arsenal line up next season?

“So Declan Rice was really attracted by this plans.

“And finally, Mikel Arteta, after pushing internally with directors and owners to have this player, now they got their man.

“This is a fantastic moment for Arsenal.”

Granit Xhaka gets green light to leave

Romano explained what will come next.

“Green light for Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen,” Romano announced. “This deal will happen in the next few days. They were just waiting to close the Declan Rice transfer.

“Right after, Jurrien Timber to Arsenal. With the Declan Rice story over, it’s going to be time for Arsenal to complete the Timber deal with Ajax.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, have also been linked with a possible move for Jeremie Frimpong in their search for a right-back.