The idea that Arsenal might miss out on Declan Rice seemed a reality too frustrating to theorise at times. The club made the England international their priority target in a window that could not afford many, if any, slip-ups.
The club have already agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Kai Havertz and are pushing to close an agreement with Ajax for Jurrien Timber football.london understands. However, after two rejected bids for Declan Rice, Manchester City have entered the race and after losing Ilkay Gundogan. they are trying to secure the England international.
It now looks like a race to who can agree a deal with West Ham United.. The scenario is exactly what the Hammers have been after and it is the reason behind their delayed approach to discussions and quick rejections of Arsenal's offers, football.london understands.
In the hypothetical scenario there is likely to be a serious backlash from supporters regarding the failure to secure the club’s top target, just one window after failing with bids for Mykhailo Mudryk and Moises Caicedo. With that in mind, football.london discusses those involved in the talks and who would be to blame
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has been the driving force behind the interest in Rice. The West Ham captain is the man that the Spaniard wants to be a marquee feature in midfield and is considered a huge reason behind Rice's preference for Arsenal in terms of his desired destination.
Arteta has done his part and is now reliant upon those above him to get the deal done. Suggestions that the Arsenal manager would see any blame in failing to see Rice arrive would be misplaced.
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Edu Gaspar and Richard Garlick
Sporting director Edu Gaspar and head of football operations Richard Garlick are the men behind the discussions with West Ham . They are the link, if you like between Arsenal, the player and the Hammers.
Any discussions over the structure of the bids, the timing of when they are subjected, discussions of player contracts and intermediary fees are done through Edu and Garlick. There have been criticisms of Edu, specifically that the Brazilian has been unable to land the club big deals.
Despite discussions over Mudryk, Caicedo, Lisandro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic for example, the club were unsuccessful in their moves for these players. Edu is the face of Arsenal’s transfers and if another club agrees to a deal that Arsenal could have financially met but failed to negotiate, he would rightly bear the blame.
Stan and Josh Kroenke
If indeed Arsenal do not meet what City or any other side offer to West Ham which they find acceptable, then there's an argument that the club executives were powerless and instead Arsenal's owners are in focus. Their billionaire status is sure to see fans raise questions about why they weren't willing to sanction an investment to deliver Arteta his dream transfer target for the summer.
If indeed the fee goes well beyond the reasonable market value of Rice, there can be some reprieve. But the pressure will be on the club to go big again on an alternative like Moises Caicedo who Arsenal are understood by football.london not to have completely withdrawn their interest in.
