West Ham United and Arsenal transfer news with Declan Rice update
Arsenal are a “long way down the line” for the signing of West Ham United captain Declan Rice but are one of few top Premier League sides who won’t offer image rights packages, according to The Mirror.
Rice, 24, is widely expected to leave the London Stadium this summer, with Fabrizio Romano [5 February] previously reporting that “all parties” believe he won’t be a West Ham player next year.
Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth shared last month [19 April] that the Gunners were in a strong position for the midfielder’s signature this summer.
The Mirror wrote: “They [Arsenal] are one of the few top Premier League clubs who have resisted offering image rights packages which is a common way of adding on big money incentives to potential signings.
“Other clubs do it as a matter of course for big name signings but Arsenal have been reluctant even back to Arsene Wenger’s days with few exceptions to the rule.
”However, it has not stopped them from doing good business and they are after big players this summer to build on this campaign.
“They are a long way down the line in their long-running pursuit of West Ham’s Declan Rice.”
Surprise
Arsenal have been considered the favourites for Rice’s signature for a fair few months now, so this update comes as no real surprise.
After refusing to spend big on the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo in the January transfer window, the Gunners are likely to have a sizeable war chest to attack the summer with, especially if they manage to win the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City.
From a West Ham perspective, this can only be a good thing.
Although the English international is unlikely to remain at West Ham United into next season, any deal with the likes of Arsenal or Chelsea is likely to come towards the £100million valuation that David Moyes and the club have slapped on their prized asset.
The Hammers will try to get every penny they can for Rice this summer and use the cash to reinvest in their somewhat underperforming squad, which is somehow still not safe from relegation.