Arsenal are reportedly on the brink of completing a deal for their main summer transfer target Declan Rice.
The Gunners have been targeting the English star for a while now in a bid to bolster their midfield for the 2023/24 Premier League and UEFA Champions League campaign. Mikel Arteta's side, who missed out on the Premier League title to Man City, even saw off competition from the Cityzens to agree a deal in principle for the Hammers captain.
However, while West Ham accepted the total package of Arsenal's offer, which was worth £105M (£100M guaranteed and £5M in add-ons), the two London sides did not agree on the structure of the deal, with the UEFA Europa Conference League champions wanting the Gunners to pay it all within 18 months. The North London giants, on the other hand, wanted the payment spread out across five years.
While the deal was never at risk of collapsing, a general sense of unease existed among Arsenal fans as the transfer had not been wrapped up. Fortunately for the Premier League runners-up, a breakthrough has finally been reached and Declan's move to the Emirates Stadium appears to be a formality now.
This is according to a report by the Guardian which states that the two clubs reached a compromise regarding the payment structure. The Gunners made the bigger compromise as they have agreed to pay the guaranteed part of Rice's transfer fee, the £100M, in three installments over 24 months.
"Talks over the nature of the add-ons" have not been wrapped up but the biggest hurdle looks to have been settled and the midfielder should complete his move and undergo a medical this week. This is a boost for Arteta and Co. as they were keen on getting their main targets through the door before their preseason tour of the USA.
West Ham's insistence over the structure of this deal is due to their financial issues. The club were recently put on UEFA's Financial Fair Play watch list and are also in need of immediate funds to reinvest in their squad following their disappointing 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
Arsenal fans, meanwhile, can be at ease as one of the best midfielders will be plying his trade at the Emirates Stadium next season. The player was pursued by Man City and while he was open to an Etihad Stadium switch, his preference was Arsenal after being wowed by Arteta's plans for him and the club.
The 24-year-old will join Kai Havertz as one of the Gunners' marquee signings this summer, with Ajax defender Jurrien Timber expected to follow suit. Another midfielder could be signed, with Southampton ace Romeo Lavia being heavily linked, but a move for the Belgian starlet rests upon the future of Thomas Partey, who could be sold this summer.
