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Arsenal set to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice

Arsenal set to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice

Arsenal have finally found common ground with West Ham United for Declan Rice, and the transfer tug-of-war between both clubs looks to be nearing a conclusion.

According to Fabrizio Romano, both London clubs have reached an agreement on the transfer of the England international, who is set to join Arsenal.

The Gunners will fork out an astonishing £100 million plus £5m in add-ons to sign the former Chelsea academy man, with the club now reaching an agreement with West Ham on a payment structure that suits all parties.

West Ham had reluctantly agreed to let their captain walk away from the London Stadium this summer after years of biting the hands that have offered to lure him away.

However, they have not made it easy for potential suitors after refusing to budge from their £100m valuation. Arsenal have now matched their asking price, and Rice will ply his trade in north London next season.

The West Ham academy graduate was Arsenal’s top summer target as they plot a massive squad reinforcement that should bolster their title challenge in the coming season.

The Gunners fell short in the final stages of the 2022-23 campaign, allowing defending champions Manchester City to claim the Premier League crown for the third successive season.

However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to assemble a team that will stand the test of time next season, and his quest has seen the Gunners part ways with over £200m this summer in an astonishing squad rebuild.

Rice will be Arsenal’s third acquisition in the Premier League transfer window, having signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea, while Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is also on the cusp of joining the club in a £40m move.

However, they are far from done with their summer business amid reports that Arsenal are still planning a swoop for highly-rated Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

Lavia is expected to leave Southampton following their relegation from the Premier League, but the Saints could have a bidding war on their hands with Liverpool and Chelsea also interested.

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