West Ham transfer news

ARSENAL have agreed a club-record £105million fee for West Ham captain Declan Rice.The Gunners faced stiff competition from Manchester City – who saw a £90m offer rejected earlier this week.
Declan Rice has agreed to join Arsenal from West HamCredit: PA
Mikel Arteta has sealed his No1 summer transfer targetCredit: Getty
But now Mikel Arteta’s men have finally got a deal in principle over the line for the England international, 24.
Two previous bids from Arsenal had been rejected by the Hammers.
And the East London outfit were initially unsatisfied with Arsenal’s third offer of £105m – submitted on Tuesday and made up of £100m upfront and a further £5m in add-ons.
But after City walked away, the Hammers have accepted the deal with Arsenal.
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However, the Gunners want to make the payments over the next five years – but West Ham want the money all paid by 2025.
SunSport understands a compromise over the payment structure is “very close”.
Once that has been sorted out, Rice will prepare to link up with the rest of Arteta’s squad in the coming weeks.
Rice’s preferred destination was always North London, despite his admiration for Pep Guardiola and their trophy haul.
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He was open to moving his family up north to Manchester had Arsenal refused to budge on their initial offers, but that is now not the case.
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The player is away on holiday and not expected back for another fortnight following his England exploits.
Arteta wants Rice fully integrated before they head off on their pre-season tour to the States, their opening game coming on July 20.
He leaves West Ham having led the club to their first major silverware in 43 years – winning the Europa Conference League in his final game.
Rice was preparing to enter the last year of his contract at the London Stadium.
He had rejected improved contract offers over the past 18 months as West Ham looked to tie him down to a longer deal.
This included the chance to earn £200,000 a week.
But chairman David Sullivan admitted after the Conference League win that the memorable final would likely have been Rice’s final game for the club because he “wanted to go” – and so it has proved.
Rice was in Chelsea’s academy until he was released aged 14 and joined West Ham in 2014.
He broke through into the first team in 2017 and has gone on to make 245 appearances for the East Londoners.
The dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague, sealed by Jarrod Bowen’s late winner, etched skipper Rice’s name into the club’s history books forever.
But few could begrudge the talismanic figure from fulfilling his desire to compete for the top titles regularly, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal confirmed the signing of Chelsea ace Kai Havertz for £65m on Wednesday evening.
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Arteta hinted he has signed the German to play as a midfielder – rather than in attack as he did at Stamford Bridge.
A £40m offer is also in for Ajax defender Timber and they are in talks with Southampton for £45m-rated Lavia. More

DECLAN RICE is waiting on Arsenal to increase their bid as the  transfer tug of war with Manchester City rumbles on.Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners saw an opening £90million approach for Rice rejected by West Ham.
West Ham star Declan Rice wants Arsenal to improve their bid but is also keen on Manchester CityCredit: Getty
City had entered the race on Monday night with an £80m offer, plus £10m in add-ons.
Arsenal have seen two bids, the second also worth a club-record £90m — £75m up front plus £15m in add-ons — turned down.
But the pressure is now back on the Gunners to make a third offer for the England midfielder, 24, and hit West Ham’s valuation of £106m.
City will react to Arsenal’s next attempt but SunSport understands  Rice’s preferred destination is still North London.
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However, Rice — who is currently on holiday  — would be open to moving to the North.
SunSport understand Arsenal are planning a third bid for the midfielder almost 24 hours after City’s offer was rejected.
The England international is manager Mikel Arteta’s priority signing this summer.
And Rice is bound to move after turning down a bumper new contract from West Ham.
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And following the Hammers’ success in the Europa Conference League, co-owner David Sullivan confirmed he would be leaving.
City boss Pep Guardiola is said to view Rice as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona.
But Guardiola has also signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea to boost his midfield. More