Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Kieran Horn

Edu given crucial Arsenal deadline to complete £105m Declan Rice transfer amid payment issue

Arsenal could see their record-breaking transfer for Declan Rice collapse at the final hurdle if one key objective is not met. The Gunners and West Ham reached a verbal agreement for the 24-year-old following the third proposal put forward by Mikel Arteta which was worth £105million.

Despite that offer hitting the Hammers' triple-figure demand, there were still issues that needed ironing out over the payment structure and timing of instalments. Manchester City formally pulling out of the race led to negotiations stepping up between the two parties but problems still remained over how the full package would be paid which delayed the transfer.

West Ham remained firm that they wanted the upfront fee paid in full by the start of 2025, whereas Arsenal were far more inclined to spread the cost over a number of years.

However, it looked as though a compromise had been found with it being widely reported that a final agreement being reached could come on Monday, July 3, with an official announcement to follow shortly after.

Arsenal themselves then played into those reports with fans coming up with a wild transfer theory after stadium tours were made unavailable to book on July 3 and 8 due to 'club activity'. However, the deal could now be at risk of falling apart following a fresh claim by Twitter account @WestHamFootball.

They state that West Ham are prepared to walk away from the deal within the next 72 hours if the Gunners do not agree to their preferred payment structure and other clauses, with the ball proverbially back in Arsenal's court.

Showing just how badly he wants the move, Rice returned earlier than planned from his holiday in Dubai short to undergo an Arsenal medical, according to The Mirror. But that could now be in jeopardy if the intricacies of how Arsenal will pay West Ham for his services is not resolved soon.

READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Rice and Timber announcements, Laporte interest, Lavia talks

Arsenal have already sealed a £65million for Kai Havertz and are closing in on the signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax with his medical in London being booked. Edu and Arteta were hopeful deals worth up to £145million for Timber and Rice could be completed in the same week, but a transfer for the latter may be off if Arsenal don't meet West Ham's requests in the next three days.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.