On Saturday, Arsenal announced that they have broken their transfer record in order to acquire England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham.
According to ESPN sources, the Premier League runners-up agreed to pay £100 million ($131 million) + £5 million ($6.5 million) in add-ons for Rice. The sum comfortably surpasses Arsenal’s previous record fee of £72 million paid to Lille in 2019 to acquire Nicolas Pepe.
Rice, 24 years old, may also become the most expensive British player in Premier League history, surpassing the £100 million Manchester City spent two years ago to acquire Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.
Because of my relationship with West Ham, it’s been a tad overpowering. “With the affection and support I have for them, it’s been extremely difficult to leave,” Rice said.
“Amazing opportunities arise in football. Major clubs, such as Arsenal, have approached me, and it is extremely difficult to refuse. You only get one tenure, and I truly believe in what Mikel is constructing here and the team he is constructing. I look forward to a bright future with Arsenal.”
Rice’s arrival follows the acquisition of German international Kai Havertz from Chelsea for a fee of up to £67.5 million as Arsenal continues to add potency to the squad that unexpectedly challenged for the Premier League title last year.
Arsenal ultimately lost the title battle to eventual treble winners City but won the sprint to acquire Rice.
Sources told ESPN that City rejected an earlier offer of £80 million plus £10 million in add-ons but believed Arsenal’s proposal exceeded their valuation.
He will join Arsenal on their preseason tour of the United States, with the Community Shield against City on August 6 serving as his first opportunity to debut in a competitive match. On August 12, 2023-24, Arsenal opens their Premier League season by hosting Nottingham Forest.
After leading the club to the Europa Conference League title last month, West Ham had long anticipated that Rice, who had one year remaining on his contract with an additional year option, would depart this summer. The club announced his departure on Saturday morning.
