Arsenal given POSITIVE Rice update by Ornstein

Jacque Talbot

14 Jul 2023 03:50 CDT
3 min read

Declan Rice, Arsenal, domino — © ProShots

Arsenal fans have been handed an update by David Ornstein over the announcement of Declan Rice.

Article continues under the video

The Gunners had sealed the deal for the England international from West Ham. The entire package is thought to be £105m including add-ons, meaning a British record, topping the £100m Manchester City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021.

But the days have gone by and still no formal announcement has been made by Arsenal.

Athletic transfer specialist Ornstein spoke to Rio Ferdinand’s podcast Five about the move and where things are at, offering a positive update on the proceedings.

He said: “Arsenal fans want the deal announced here and now. They see that the fee was agreed a couple of weeks ago, and then the payment terms were agreed, what a week ago, and still no formal confirmation. As far as I know, everything is on track. When you’re dealing with a transfer of this magnitude, it does take time.

He continued: “There are a load of factors that need to be sorted, on the club’s side, on the player’s side, on the intermediary’s side. So I am not aware of anything untoward.

In Arsenal's hands

© ProShots - Mikel Arteta looks to have sealed the move for Declan Rice

"Arsenal will get everything sorted and then the announcement will take place. But it will be when they [Arsenal] want it to, rather than when we want it to, and there will be a great explosion of news. Then Arsenal can get on with things and West Ham can reinvest their money.”

Rice would mark another huge addition to the Arsenal side from a London rival this window.

Kai Havertz was snapped up by the Gunners, arriving from Chelsea for a reported fee of £65 million, with Mikel Arteta hoping to stretch his versatility across the starting XI ahead of next season.