No deal has been agreed yet to take Declan Rice from West Ham to Arsenal as talks continue over the payment structure of the transfer.
The overall fee - worth £105m - is not an issue with one source claiming it has been agreed in principle.
While there is still a willingness from all parties to get it done, there is still work to do before the clubs find a resolution.
Rice is now free to discuss personal terms and have his medical with Arsenal.
The transfer breaks down as an £100m initial fee plus £5m in performance related add-ons.
Arsenal have already had two club-record bids rejected by the Irons - a £90m bid comprising a £75m fee and £15m in add-ons and an opening offer thought to be worth £80m plus add-ons.
The offer smashes Arsenal's transfer record - the £72m they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
Rice has spent his entire professional career with West Ham and led the club to the Europa Conference League title as his last act.
Mikel Arteta, who has mostly relied on Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard as his midfielders last season, has been keen to strengthen in that area of the field. He looks to have got his No 1 target.
Rice's potential record-breaking move in numbers
Rice's amicable Hammers departure
Hammers chairman David Sullivan said a gentleman's agreement meant Rice could leave despite having a year remaining on his contract, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
Rice joined West Ham's academy from Chelsea as a teenager and has been ever-present since his breakthrough season in 2017-18. He took over the captaincy after Mark Noble's retirement last year.
The 24-year-old played 50 games in all competitions last season as West Ham finished 14th in the Premier League, before winning the Europa Conference League in Prague.
Rice has played more than 200 games for West Ham and earned 41 caps for England since his international debut in 2019.
Neville: I would spend £50m-£60m on Rice
Speaking in March, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said Rice is only worth around £50m-£60m - around half of the current figure being discussed by West Ham and Arsenal.
"I love Declan Rice," Neville said. "Obviously, Declan knows the position, but when I look at world-class holding midfielders, and players of that type, because he doesn't score or assist enough goals, you're putting him into that category of more of a destroyer.
"[Then], you've then got to be someone who I think is highly competent on the ball and linking play, and having that knowledge of the subtleties of getting on the ball from the back four.
"I personally feel, at this moment in time, that Declan needs to go and work under a different set-up, he needs to drive forward in his career, he needs to go and play at a different club.
"I think there's a lot of growth, and a lot for Declan to do to get up to the levels of Casemiro, Rodri and players at the top of the game in those positions.
"But, for me, I wouldn't be spending £110m or £120m... I would spend £50m-£60m on Declan Rice, but I wouldn't spend the figures being reported."
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Fidelityguy
0
I agree with U 💯
Thanks boss
monicasele
0
But is not worth Such kind of Amount
Dramz13
0
Does it mean if another team comes with cash of £100m ....Rice can stick join them
keudkmosuz
1
Arsenal leave this Rice guy n look for someone else. The money can sign 2 gud players.
keudkmosuz
1
Rice doesn't really worth that huge money. No doubt he's gud but 105m for him? Hell No!!
I agree with U 💯
Moyaiklpuz
0
Why are they forking out money so unusually & wastefully? Harvetz £65m, Declan Rice £15m! The price would weigh too heavily on him. Go and ask Coutinho, Hazard, Bale, Griezmann...!
SheldonCooper
0
Arseanal still counting. It's gonna be English record transfer & also making sure they have enough in their bank. 😜😂😆🤣 You know things can get a little fuzzy with all these excitement that you loose track what's in your wallet.
Mipklrsuyz
0
I don't understand this talks of payment structure, what's is big by accepting what westham needs to be cleared not beyond 2025. a big company like arsenal.
MikaelGuerrero
0
is it really that hard 💀
BadGuy5
0
Overhyped English players he won't be another Jack drinker Grelish.
why are you crying?
wizzybbigstepper
0
Peter Drury in May 2024; Mikel's boys have done it. This was evident from the start of the season when Arteta brought in Timber to add wood to the fire, now they can eat some White Rice. Thomas and company can now Partey like Jesus is coming tomorrow. Arsenal are the Champions😎
Comment of the century 🤩🔥
yasbkmnpuz
0
Overhyped English players he won't be another Jack drinker Grelish.
Shmonny
3
Exclusive: Man United just sent in their Bid for Declan Rice. Understood to be around 100m + Harry Maguire and the bid was immediately rejected. West Ham insist they want 100M without a problem.
Fidelityguy
2
Rice doesn't really worth that huge money. No doubt he's gud but 105m for him? Hell No!!
Manuman16
0
Losing rice , West Ham need a big chunk of the fee to replace him , they should look at Leicester and see if they can get ndidi cheap but now other clubs will know what they get for rice so they will put up their prices to get some of that money
Nazdilmpr
1
Useless club 😂😂💔
Loeadimnr
1
kkkkkkkkk Arsenal
ARTILLERYBN77
2
you just want to give our Arsenal brothers heart attack 😂😂😂
Arabmoney7
5
Peter Drury in May 2024; Mikel's boys have done it. This was evident from the start of the season when Arteta brought in Timber to add wood to the fire, now they can eat some White Rice. Thomas and company can now Partey like Jesus is coming tomorrow. Arsenal are the Champions😎
cuyabceioy
2
fake news always