Arsenal close to record-fee deal for Rice

After a month of speculation about the move, 'The Guardian' reports that Arsenal are on the verge of a deal of West Ham's Declan Rice, ahead of the first day of the transfer window on Wednesday.

The newspaper published on Tuesday that the Gunners are yet to submit the bid, but talks between the two London clubs are progressing well. West Ham have accepted that they will lose Rice, and Arsenal are looking to get the deal through as quickly as possible.

The Gunners have aimed to pay £90 million, but West Ham want to get as much as they can for their captain, so the deal may break the £100 million mark, add-ons included. This would make Rice Arsenal's most expensive transfer ever, beating Nicolas Pepe's £72 milion fee in 2019.

Despite lots of interest from other Premier League clubs, and some abroad, most notably Bayern Munich, Arsenal have been the most aggressive in their attempt to sign the player. Mikel Arteta believes that Rice would be key for Arsenal's next attempt to storm the Premier League, as well as their long-awaited return to the Champions League.

Arsenal's other midfield interests reportedly lie with Brighton's Moises Caicedo, who is also a target for London rivals Chelsea, and Man City's Ilkay Gundogan, who looks likely to leave the club on a free transfer.

 

June 13, 2023