EPL: West Ham confirms Declan Rice departure to Arsenal

West Ham have confirmed the departure of Declan Rice, who will be joining Arsenal for a British record transfer fee.

The Gunners have heavily pursued a move for the England midfielder over the last few months, making him a priority target this transfer window.

Arsenal’s interest in Rice back in January, but they faced stiff competition for his signature. Despite productive talks at the beginning of June, Arsenal initially angered West Ham with their low-ball bidding for Declan Rice.

The Hammers stood firm on their demands of a nine-figure sum to be paid largely up front, with Arsenal eventually agreeing to a British-record £105m fee.

The amount easily eclipses Arsenal’s previous record fee, the £72m paid to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019. It will also make Rice the most expensive British player in Premier League history, eclipsing the £100m Manchester City paid to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa two years ago.

West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan said in a statement;

“Everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football.

“I would like to make it clear to our supporters that we did not want to sell Declan. We wanted to build our team around him and made a series of improved, long-term contract offers to secure his future.”

“However, once Declan made it clear that he wished to move on and seek a new challenge, the Club felt it would not be right to stand in his way, acting in the best interests of West Ham United.”

Rice’s imminent arrival follows the signing of Germany international Kai Havertz from Chelsea for a fee worth up to £67.5m as Arsenal continues to add firepower to the squad that mounted an unexpected Premier League title challenge last season.

Declan Rice joined West Ham United in 2017 and played in over 240 matches for the club. He became captain following Mark Noble’s retirement last year.

Before his departure, Rice had one year remaining on his contract with West Ham, with the possibility of extending it for one more year.