West Ham United have reportedly been left frustrated by the inability of Declan Rice’s transfer to Arsenal to be completed, with the delay being caused by certain paperwork.
The 24-year-old was named the Hammers’ Player of the Season last term as they enjoyed a European journey which ended in Europa Conference League final glory over Fiorentina in Prague.
Domestically, David Moyes’s men took time to find their feet, and were in danger at points of being dragged into the relegation zone, however a solid conclusion to their Premier League season meant they finished 14th, six points above the bottom three.
The England international played in all but one of the East Londoners’ league matches in 2022-23, providing six goal contributions, representing his best tally since making his debut in the 2016-17 campaign.
According to Sky Sports News, West Ham have grown increasingly frustrated by the delay in Rice’s transfer to Arsenal, as Moyes’s men look to spend the recouped money on improving their squad.
It was been widely reported that the Gunners and the Hammers have agreed on a £105m deal for the England international last week, making the midfielder the North London club’s record signing.
The Arsenal hierarchy splashed out £72m on Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe in the summer of 2019 to break the side’s transfer record at the time, however an initial £100m fee plus £5m in add-ons for Rice will comfortably eclipse that agreement with the Ligue 1 outfit.
It is understood that the hold up in confirming Rice’s move to the Emirates is being caused by delays with paperwork being drawn up by Arsenal’s lawyers.
The two London rivals are said to have agreed the deal for the 24-year-old, although the Hammers are yet to receive the necessary paperwork that needs to be signed before the transfer can be officially announced.
Mikel Arteta’s men are in the process of improving their squad as the Premier League campaign fast approaches, with the Gunners already spending £65m to bring in Kai Havertz from Chelsea.
With Jurrien Timber understood to be on his way from Dutch giants Ajax for an initial fee of around £34m, Arsenal’s summer spending is set to go over £200m if the Rice deal goes through.https://1c05be52385dcf14c017a18dea9a3726.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html?n=0
The report adds that 22-year-old Timber is being signed primarily as a right-back, although the Dutchman can operate in a more central role should William Saliba or Gabriel pick up any injuries throughout the season.
Arteta opted to field Ben White on the right side of his defence for the majority of the 2022-23 term, with Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu also featuring as a full-back at times.
Arsenal are hopeful of having the transfer of Rice completed before they fly out to the USA on Sunday to continue their pre-season schedule against MLS All-Stars, Manchester United and Barcelona.
