West Ham make frustrations clear in Rice transfer as Arsenal set fresh deadline

12 July 2023 , 22:31

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West Ham make frustrations clear in Rice transfer as Arsenal set fresh deadline

West Ham are growing increasingly frustrated at the slow progress of the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Rice has been the Gunners' top target for much of the summer, with Mikel Arteta's side finally reaching a deal with the Hammers over the £105million fee eight days ago. Since then, Arsenal have been completing the final pieces of paperwork ahead of the move.

There is little sign that those final checks are nearing completion though, despite Rice reportedly already agreeing personal terms with the Gunners. Rice remains a West Ham player as it stands, with the England international currently training away from the Hammers.

Arsenal are running the risk of causing harm to any future business they want to do with their Premier League rivals. According to Sky Sports, the Hammers are becoming 'increasingly frustrated' with the Gunners.

The delay is the root of those frustrations, with the deal taking Rice to the Emirates Stadium still not signed. West Ham are waiting for the contracts from Arsenal's lawyers, who are drawing up the paperwork.

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West Ham believe that Rice has already passed his medical with the Gunners, as he remains on holiday in Portugal. The deal will dwarf Arsenal's current record transfer, with an initial payment of £100m plus £5m in add-ons.

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Arsenal's move for Declan Rice is being delayed by paperwork (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The Gunners squad are currently in Germany for a training camp as Arteta prepares his troops for the new season. They will fly out for a pre-season tour of the United States on Sunday.

And it is stated that they are 'hopeful' of finally completing their drawn-out move for Rice in time for him to join them on the plane. The deal has been months in the making, with Arsenal fending off interest from City to sign him.

Arteta has refused to discuss the deal before it has been completed, leaving it in the hands of Arsenal's transfer chiefs. But he has insisted that further investment is needed, with Kai Havertz also joining the Gunners from Chelsea.

"I can't talk about players who are not in the club. I prefer not to say anything. Talent comes at a price, and at Arsenal we are always interested in youngsters with experience," he told Marca earlier this summer.

"I repeat, I'm not talking about players from other clubs, but in the case of Kai he has already shown a lot, including a Champions League. We have already regenerated the squad, with a very young average and to generate performance and value.

"We have some owners aligned with us: build a winning team that is sustained over time, without so much investment. But the demand is increasing and you have to go to the market to find what we don't have to continue improving."

Jacob Leeks