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.
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.
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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.
