Done Deal: Declan Rice has perfect shirt number available at Emirates as Arsenal make his £100m deal breakthrough, Welcome to Emirates.
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Arsenal Football Club is edging closer to securing the services of West Ham United’s captain, Declan Rice, in what is expected to be a blockbuster £100 million transfer this summer.
According to previous reports by football.london, the Gunners have made Rice a top priority as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his midfield options with two new signings ahead of the upcoming season.
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed that Rice has played his final game for the club, paving the way for his departure. Several elite clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, have expressed interest in acquiring the talented England international. However, Arsenal appears to have taken the lead in the race to secure his signature.
The Guardian recently reported that Arsenal is nearing an agreement with West Ham for the transfer of Rice and is expected to finalize the deal for a fee surpassing £100 million, factoring in potential add-ons.
Sullivan acknowledged on talkSPORT that Rice’s departure is inevitable, stating, “I think it has to be [Rice’s final game for West Ham]. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season. In due course, he has to get on, and we have to get a replacement—or several replacements.”
Rice, who has spent six years at the London Stadium, will leave a lasting legacy at West Ham after captaining the team to victory in the Europa Conference League final in his final appearance.
The talented midfielder progressed through the ranks at West Ham, becoming a vital figure in the squad. Notably, he retained the No.41 shirt throughout his senior career at the club, transforming it into an iconic jersey.
Should Rice desire to keep the same number at Arsenal, it is likely to be granted to him, as the current holder of the No.41 shirt in the Arsenal Under-23s team, Maruo Bandeira, may relinquish it. Rice’s unwavering attachment to the No.41 shirt symbolizes his commitment and loyalty to his club, and he may continue donning the iconic number when he joins Arsenal next season.
The potential arrival of Rice at Arsenal would significantly bolster Arteta’s midfield options, providing the team with a dynamic and versatile player who has excelled at both club and international levels. As negotiations progress, fans eagerly await further updates on this high-profile transfer that could shape Arsenal’s fortunes in the seasons to come.
