Jonty Banks

Wed 28 June 2023 12:10, UK

Arsenal are in contact with West Ham United to discuss payment terms, instalments and more details of the Declan Rice transfer after Manchester City pulled out of the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners lodged a bid of £100million plus £5million of add-ons on Tuesday night (27 June), which has seen the Premier League champions subsequently withdraw their interest in the England international.

However, the Hammers still have reservations about the structure of the bid, although the two parties are coming closer to an agreement.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday morning (28 June), Romano tweeted: “Arsenal are working on the structure of the deal after £100m plus £5m add ons official bid submitted on Tuesday night for Declan Rice.

“Arsenal and West Ham, in contact to discuss payment terms, installments and more details.

“Manchester City have left the race.”

Picking up speed

Arsenal’s bid of £100million plus £5million in add-ons felt like the first bid that the Hammers would even consider taking seriously, and it seems like they are now closing in on an agreement.

This bid looks to have proven too much for Pep Guardiola’s side to match after their opening bid was quickly rebuffed.

With no other suitors showing their hand as of yet, it seems like the 24-year-old is heading to Arsenal unless any snags are met in the finer pieces of the deal.

Mikel Arteta has long been pushing for this deal to get over the line, and its completion should also allow David Moyes to push forward in his summer transfer plans.

Once the Rice deal is over the line, the Scot can plan targets, know what his transfer purse will be and, therefore, which deals he can pursue in the coming weeks and months.

It seems like it will only be a matter of time until Rice is unveiled as an Arsenal player.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers are already preparing to cash in on the Declan Rice money as they hold a transfer meeting in London as they’re confident of sealing a £50million signing.