Arsenal have officially announced the signing of English midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham United.
The Gunners secured the services of the highly sought-after player for a staggering fee of £100 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons.
The news of Rice’s departure from West Ham came after the 24-year-old penned an open letter to the club’s fans, expressing the difficulty of his decision to leave.
Rice leaves West Ham on a high note, having captained the team to victory in the Europa Conference League last season.
Rice, who has been closely monitored by several top clubs, spoke about his decision to join Arsenal.
“I’ve been closely observing Arsenal’s trajectory over the past couple of seasons,” he stated. “Notably, the style of play implemented by Mikel Arteta caught my attention.
Last season, they had an outstanding campaign, dominating most teams, barring Manchester City.”
The signing of Declan Rice marks Arsenal’s third major acquisition this summer as they aim to surpass their second-place finish in the previous Premier League season.
Prior to Rice’s arrival, the Gunners secured the services of Germany international Kai Havertz from Chelsea in a £65 million deal and Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax for a fee that could rise to £38.5 million.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement over Rice’s arrival, highlighting the player’s exceptional abilities.
“He is a player with tremendous talent, who has consistently performed at a high level in the Premier League and for the England national team,” said Arteta.
“Declan brings undeniable quality to the club, and we believe he has the potential for great success here.”
Arteta also praised Rice’s experience in the Premier League at such a young age, noting his leadership as captain of a strong West Ham team and his recent triumph in a European competition.
The manager emphasized that Rice’s responsibility and impact on the pitch have been truly impressive.
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The negotiations between Arsenal and West Ham were protracted, with the Gunners having two previous bids rejected by the Hammers.
However, Arsenal’s persistence paid off when they finally met West Ham’s asking price of £100 million.
Premier League champions Manchester City, who were initially interested in signing Rice, withdrew their pursuit after their £90 million offer was turned down.
The initial transfer fee for Rice matches the record-breaking £100 million fee Manchester City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021.
The Premier League’s current highest transfer fee stands at £105.6 million, which Chelsea paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez in January 2023.
This summer has witnessed several significant transfers, with Jude Bellingham’s move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid for an initial £88.5 million, potentially rising to £115 million with add-ons, being one of the standout deals.
With an impressive squad bolstered by the addition of Rice, Arsenal aims to challenge the elite and compete for the highest honours in English football.
