West Ham fuming at Arsenal over Declan Rice delay amid fears club will miss out on its own key transfer targets
WEST HAM are angry with the delay to Declan Rice’s Arsenal move — fearing they could miss out on key transfer targets.
The Hammers accepted a £105million bid from the Gunners NINE days ago — £100m up front with £5m in add-ons.
SunSport understands Arsenal’s lawyers are yet to sign off Rice’s contract even though personal terms have been agreed and the England star has passed his medical.
The West Ham hierarchy is tired of the drawn-out process and has been left with a bitter taste over Arsenal’s actions throughout the negotiations.
The East Londoners are yet to act in the summer window as they await Rice’s exit before splashing any cash.
They are likely to miss out to Newcastle for Leicester winger Harvey Barnes, while the Irons fear being priced out of a move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Rice is currently training alone in Portugal as he awaits the conclusion of the switch.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful of finally clinching midfielder Rice, 24, before his side head to the US on Sunday for a pre-season tour.
The Gunners had two previous bids for Rice rejected by West Ham, who were determined to receive a sum close to the £106m Chelsea paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez.
There was then another lengthy wait between Arsenal’s £105m bid being made on June 27 and it being accepted – payment terms were finally agreed seven days later.
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Arsenal wanted to stagger the instalments over a five-year period, but West Ham once again dug their heels in and got their wish to have the full £100m by 2025.
Rice was always Arteta’s priority signing this summer following the exit of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen and the future of Thomas Partey in doubt.
When Rice is eventually confirmed, Arsenal’s spending is set to exceed £200m this summer.
Forward Kai Havertz has been training with his new teammates after a £65m move from Chelsea, while Arteta also hopes to shortly confirm the arrival of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, 22, for £34.5m.
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