Declan Rice’s record move to Arsenal is edging closer, with West Ham and the Gunners close to finding a compromise over the payment structure
West Ham have removed Declan Rice from the range of options fans can select to personalise their shirts with.
It is the clearest indication yet that the Hammers skipper will complete his £105million move to Arsenal imminently. The saga over Rice’s future has been the story of the summer so far, with the Gunners having to fight off competition from Manchester City.
But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta appears to be able to breath a sigh of relief with his top target having been all-but confirmed to be on his way. The latest confirmation that his move to the Gunners will go through came on Saturday.
Like many other Premier League sides, West Ham are still selling their kits from the season just gone. Supporters can choose to add the name and number of their favourite player to the back of their kit.
But Rice’s name and number has now been removed from the list of options fans can select from. His number 41 shirt does not appear on the list for either the home or away kit, with both lists instead ending with Emerson Palmeri’s number 33 jersey.
Even when clicking ‘Shop by Player’, Rice’s name and number does not appear, with those options again ending with Emerson. Though he does appear in the squad list on the club’s website, the sudden move to remove him as an option for fans to add to the back of their shirts appears to be a clear sign he is on his way.
The two clubs have come to an agreement on a £105m fee. Now only the structure of the payments is blocking the transfer, though final discussions are progressing with a resolution in sight.
Personal terms should be easy to agree and a medical passed before Arsenal can announce their record signing.
The arrival of Rice will delight Arteta, who has refused to discuss the midfielder’s individual case, but admitted his squad needed investment.
“I can’t talk about players who are not at the club. I prefer not to say anything. We have already regenerated the squad, with a very young average that will generate performance and value,” he recently said.
“We have owners who are aligned with us: to build a winning team that can be sustained over time, without too much investment. But the demands are increasing and we have to go to the market to find what we don’t have to keep improving.
“We know the difficulty: it’s the best league in the world and next season is going to be the toughest league in Premiership history. Why? It already was last year. I’ve been here for 22 years and I’ve never seen a competitive level like that.
“So much quality, so much organization, so many resources, so many good coaches… and now Pochettino and Iraola are coming. That’s the level and to win the Premiership you have to be the best. That’s why you have to strengthen.”