Search results
Jul 15, 2023 · England midielder Declan Rice completes his £105m move to Arsenal after writing an open letter to say goodbye to West Ham's fans, plus all the latest transfer news and gossip.
- Overview
- Sullivan: We didn't want to sell Rice
- West Ham received Arsenal paperwork on Friday
- What Rice adds to Arsenal and where he fits...
- Where does Rice's transfer fee rank?
- Explained: How Arsenal can afford big-money summer signings
West Ham have confirmed that they have reached an agreement for Declan Rice to leave the club.
Arsenal, who are not mentioned in West Ham's statement, are yet to announce the arrival of Rice for £105m - a record fee between two British clubs.
Rice posted a farewell message on Instagram: "I can't believe an incredible 10 years has come to an end. West Ham has been a massive part of my life on and off the pitch. Saying goodbye is never easy.
•What Rice adds to Arsenal and where he would fit
•Transfer Centre LIVE! | Arsenal transfer news and rumours
•Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports app
Rice's last act as a West Ham player was to lift the Europa Conference League trophy last month to secure the club's first piece of silverware since the 1980 FA Cup and a first European trophy since 1965.
Joint-chair David Sullivan told the club's official website: "I am sorry to see Declan leave us but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football.
"I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future.
Twitter This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
"However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United."
Twitter This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
West Ham signed the deal to sell Rice to Arsenal after finally receiving paperwork from the Gunners on Friday.
The transfer was agreed eight days ago and the Hammers were becoming increasingly frustrated by the delay to complete the deal.
One insider told Sky Sports News: "I've never known anything like this saga".
However, West Ham have now signed the deal to sell Rice to Arsenal, who are set to announce their club-record signing before heading to the US for a pre-season tour on Sunday.
If Arsenal needed any further convincing over the merits of a move for Declan Rice, they got it just after the half-hour mark during their 2-2 draw with West Ham at the London Stadium in April.
Mikel Arteta's side were two goals up and seemingly cruising towards a victory which would have sent them six points clear of Manchester City. But it all changed with a moment of quick-thinking from a player they now hope to make their record signing.
Rice, seeing Kieran Tierney about to aim a pass towards Thomas Partey deep in the Arsenal half, set off on a sprint to close the Ghanaian down, reaching him just in time to steal possession, then carrying the ball into the box and finding the onrushing Lucas Paqueta.
Image: How Rice compares to Arsenal's midfielders
The subsequent penalty, won by Paqueta and scored by Said Benrahma, shifted the momentum of the game away from Arsenal. Perhaps even that of the title race too. And it started with Rice.
That passage of play showed many of the qualities that make Rice so appealing to Arsenal: the anticipation to spot the opportunity; the speed and power to get there and emerge with the ball; the composure to set up his team-mate and force the penalty.
Jude Bellingham became the most expensive English player of all time when he made the £115m move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid earlier this month.
Rice becomes the second most expensive ever, costing £5m more than the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish in August 2021.
Datawrapper This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.
Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says Arsenal's seemingly enhanced willingness to spend is a "reward" for Mikel Arteta.
"Arsenal are actually in a very strong position when it comes to spending," he told Sky Sports News.
"The reason for that is they have managed to get their wages under control.
"Arsenal's wages are lower than they were in 2018. They are £150m to £170m less than Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City. That has given them the flexibility to go into the market and buy new players without having to worry too much.
"Plus they have got the additional benefits of Champions League matches coming in, premium prices and the minimum I would say prize money of £50m from being participants.
"So you factor that all together and they've probably still got a bit of leeway in terms of what they can spend over this present window."
Jul 15, 2023 · Arsenal have confirmed the signing Declan Rice from West Ham in a £105million deal. The Athletic reported earlier this month that the midfielder had been given permission to undergo a medical and...
Jul 15, 2023 · Declan Rice has joined Arsenal from West Ham in a record £105m deal. The transfer is made up of a £100m initial fee plus £5m in performance-related add-ons. It is the highest amount an English club has paid for an English player.
May 10, 2023 · West Ham will allow Declan Rice to leave this summer if they receive an offer worth £120m from a Champions League club. West Ham would also accept £100m plus a player for the midfielder, with the...
Jul 15, 2023 · Arsenal have confirmed the signing of England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham for £100m plus £5m in add-ons. The Gunners' announcement comes after the 24-year-old issued an open letter...
People also ask
Will Declan Rice leave West Ham?
Will Declan Rice get Arsenal 'back to where they belong'?
Why do West Ham value Declan Rice so much?
How much is Declan Rice worth?
Jul 5, 2023 · Arsenal have agreed a £105m deal to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer - but the two clubs are still discussing how the fee will be paid in installments. The structure of the payments...
