- Record-Breaking Transfer: Declan Rice joins Arsenal in a £100 million deal, becoming the most expensive British player ever
- Squad Impact: Rice’s arrival paves the way for Xhaka’s departure and increases the likelihood of Partey leaving
- Arsenal’s Summer Transfers: Rice is the third signing, following Havertz and Timber, as the club aims to strengthen the squad
Declan Rice has concluded his transfer from West Ham to Arsenal for $105 million. The midfielder was Mikel Arteta’s primary target, and Arsenal beat out Manchester City to sign him in a deal that makes him the most expensive British player ever.
Arsenal will pay a guaranteed £100 million, matching the amount City paid for Jack Grealish two summers ago, plus an additional £5 million for add-ons. Rice’s presence made Granit Xhaka’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen possible and increased the likelihood that Thomas Partey, who has attracted interest from Juventus and Saudi Arabian clubs, will depart.
Rice is Arsenal’s third summer transfer, following the acquisitions of striker Kai Havertz from Chelsea for a fee rising to £65 million and defender Jurrin Timber from Ajax for a fee that could reach €45 million (£38.6 million) with add-ons.
“With Mikel and how he works, the squad, how young everyone is, the energy around the club, and also the challenge of getting Arsenal back where they belong, that means a lot to me,” Rice said. “I am aware that the supporters truly desire this. As a player, I’ve arrived here with a strong desire to achieve greater success and devote my best years at this great club.”
In January of last year, Chelsea paid Benfica £106.8 million for the Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández, setting a British club transfer record.
In an emotional epistle to West Ham fans, Rice said farewell after “an absolute emotional whirlwind” in recent weeks.
“I want you to know how difficult it has been for me to leave an environment that I have so cherished and loved,” he stated. This institution and its fans will always have a special place in my heart and will always be a part of who I am.
“In the end, however, it has always been about my desire to participate at the highest level of the sport. First-time participation on the opposing team to West Ham will be an unusual experience.
“I’m unsure of how I’ll feel, but I’m confident that you’ll all understand and respect that my professional allegiances must now lie with my new club.”
In January of last year, Chelsea paid Benfica £106.8 million for the Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández, setting a British club transfer record.
David Sullivan, co-chairman of West Ham, disclosed last month that the club had a gentleman’s agreement with Rice to enable him to leave this summer after the player rejected a lucrative new contract.
“I am sad to see Declan go, but I believe everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the role we played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football,” he said in a statement.
