The dust has finally settled, and Arsenal came out on top in the war for the services of Declan Rice over Manchester City.
The Gunners and City went on an offer exchange to West Ham United for the England captain, but ultimately, Mikel Arteta's team prevailed.
The transfer has been sealed, but what has to happen is that Rice has to become the Premier League's record signing at $132.8 million (£104 million) and Arsenal's most expensive signing, too.
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This deal breaks the $125 million (£100 million) fee paid by City in 2022 to get Jack Grealish.
Football insider Fabrizio Romano reported that West Ham and Arsenal have agreed in principle for the transfer as they continue to iron out the deal structure and payments.
🚨 West Ham have just communicated to Arsenal that they’re accepting £100m plus £5m add-ons fee for Declan Rice.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2023
The two clubs remain in talks over deal structure & payment terms — as West Ham want £100m to be paid within 18 months.
Final discussions and then… done deal. pic.twitter.com/khKe5EgeFc
It's Arsenal all along for Rice
While West Ham undeniably entertained City's offers, probably to raise the stakes, Rice, born and raised in the capital, preferred a transfer to a team in London.
Reports revealed that the 24-year-old midfielder wants to remain in a London-based club to be near his home and his infant kid.
Arteta, for his part, was also hell-bent on signing Rice that he even invited him to his home to discuss how Rice would figure prominently in the team's strategies.
The talks between the Gunners and the Hammers broke down earlier after the latter rejected the $76 million plus $19 million add-ons. Arsenal tried to improve the offer to $90 million but was still rejected.
The City entered the picture but was also rejected by West Ham.
Related article: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Still Hurting from Premier League Race Collapse
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