Declan Rice to Arsenal – What’s the hold up?

Declan Rice looked to be all but certain to join Arsenal after a fee of £100m ($126m) plus £5m for performance-related bonuses was agreed, but there has yet to be an official announcement on the transfer.

When news broke that Arsenal had finally agreed a fee with West Ham for Declan Rice, the outpouring of emotion got to everyone.

The Gunners finally had made headway and had their main summer target in a move that signals Arsenal’s intent heading into next season.

But since then, there has been next to no movement on the signing being made official. Why?

Goal.com’s Chris Burton gave insight into why the deal has yet to be announced, and it turns out that the payment structure is holding the deal up.

"“The overall fee has been set, with Arsenal ready to shell out £100m ($126m) in guaranteed payments for Rice, with a further £5m made up of performance-related add-ons,” Burton writes. According to Sky Sports, the Gunners have not been able to announce the arrival of a marquee addition as talks continue regarding the payment structure of a historic transfer.“The overall fee is not in question, but West Ham are still waiting on answers when it comes to how a nine-figure sum will reach their bank account at the London Stadium.”"

https://twitter.com/JacobsBen/status/1675569230534660096?s=20

So Rice WILL be an Arsenal player; it is just a matter of organizing a payment structure that  West Ham will be happy with.

For all the Gunners fans nervous about Rice not heading to north London, he is; the clubs just have to dot the I’s and cross the T’s before it can officially be announced.

There have been rumors swirling that the deal could be completed in the next 24-48 hours as both clubs work through the finer details.

But Arsenal fans, make no mistake, Declan Rice will be coming to the Emirates Stadium, but it might take a bit longer than initially thought.