Declan Rice shirt removed from West Ham United store as Arsenal switch now all but confirmed
West Ham have removed the option to purchase Declan Rice’s number 41 shirt from the official club store with a switch to Arsenal now seemingly inevitable.
Although the two clubs have not yet reached a full agreement on payment terms, this latest move by West Ham suggests the deal will not fall through.
The Hammers would like the full fee quicker than the Gunners are currently proposing however this issue is reportedly set to be resolved with an official announcement potentially ready as soon as Monday, (Evening Standard, 1 July).
Manuel Lanzini, who has already departed the club following the expiration of his contract, has also had his shirt removed which would suggest that the club view Rice’s departure as a done deal.
Goodbye
This deal has begun to drag on and many West Ham fans would have perhaps started to hope the transfer had maybe fallen through.
Although the deal seems done, you never know in football until an official club confirmation arrives, however, this latest move is as good as a confirmation.
Rice’s contract has not expired and therefore the process of taking him off the official club store would have been an intentional one, not an automated one. It would be a strange thing to intentionally do if the deal was not complete.
Any hope of a move falling through now seems gone and fans will have to accept that their club captain is leaving.
It is not at all a bad move though, Rice left having led the side to a European title and the reported £100million the club will receive can now be reinvested.
Wherever he goes for the rest of his career, West Ham will always be the midfielder’s home.
In other West Ham news, another official decision has been made as the club complete their first summer signing.