The hold-up is preventing the Hammers from making new signings of their own (Picture: Getty)
West Ham are angry with their Arsenal counterparts over how long they are taking to confirm Declan Rice’s transfer and fear they will miss out on their own targets, according to reports.
The Gunners had a third bid worth £100million plus £5m in add-ons accepted by West Ham at the end of June, with talks then moving onto the structure of those payments.
Arsenal had initially wanted to spread the cost out over four years but begrudgingly agreed to pay the fixed part of the fee by the start of 2025.
That breakthrough happened over a week ago, yet Arsenal still have not announced an agreement to sign Rice – nor has he returned to London in preparation for his unveiling.
Some Arsenal fans have started to get a little nervy over the lack of updates and now The Sun are reporting that West Ham are fuming over the delay.
The Gunners’ lawyers are yet to sign off Rice’s contract even though personal terms were agreed weeks ago and West Ham don’t understand why it is taking so long.
It is claimed that a ‘bitter taste’ has been left over the way Arsenal have conducted the deal, both now and throughout the entire negotiations.
West Ham’s hierarchy have long grown tired of how drawn-out the process has become and their own transfer activity has been put on hold until the situation is resolved.
The east Londoners are yet to make any signings this summer but are watching rivals press ahead with moves for players they want to sign.
David Moyes had made Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes a priority target but West Ham have been unable to launch a bid and now look set to miss out to Newcastle United – though the Magpies can, of course, offer him Champions League football.
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The Hammers are also keen to lure Joao Palhinha from Fulham as a direct replacement for Rice, though fear they will be priced out of a move due to the massive fee they are about to receive for their skipper.
Rice is currently training in Portugal – and has been working up a sweat with the likes of James Maddison and Rafael Leao in recent days – and is waiting to be given the green light to fly to north London to complete his move.
West Ham are not expected to ask the 24-year-old to return to training if the transfer continues to drag on and Mikel Arteta remains hopeful of signing Rice in time for him to join the squad when they fly to the United States on Sunday for their pre-season tour.
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The hold-up is preventing the Hammers from making new signings of their own.
