Transfer Shocker: Arsenal Break Records to Secure Declan Rice in Mind-Blowing £105m Deal
Arsenal break records with £105m signing of England midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham Rice's move bolsters Arsenal's squad as they continue to invest heavily under Arteta's vision Get the latest on Arsenal's transfer activities and explore Rice's impact on the team
Arsenal has secured the services of Declan Rice, the talented midfielder from England, in a groundbreaking transfer deal worth £105m. Surpassing the previous club-record fee of £72m paid for Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019, this transaction also sets a new benchmark for the highest transfer fee between two British clubs.
However, Rice's signing falls just shy of the British record transfer fee. In January, Chelsea splashed £106.8m to acquire midfielder Enzo Fernandez from Benfica. At Arsenal, Rice has committed to a five-year contract lasting until 2028, with the possibility of extending it by another year. He will proudly sport the number 41 jersey.
Moving to the Emirates Stadium marks the conclusion of his ten-year tenure at West Ham, where he ascended from a youth-team player to the captain of the club.
Having debuted in 2017, he amassed a total of 245 appearances for the Hammers. The pinnacle of his time at the club came in the Europa Conference League final, where he led West Ham to victory, securing their first trophy in 43 years.
Arsenal's summer spending reaches £208m with the addition of the 24-year-old. This signing comes after acquiring Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65m and Jurrien Timber from Ajax for £38m. The deal for Rice amounts to £105m, with an initial payment of £100m spread over 24 months. Additionally, there are £5m in add-ons, triggered when Arsenal qualifies for the Champions League and Rice starts 60% of games.
Rice: I believe in what Arteta is building here
Speaking to the Arsenal website, Rice said he was determined to take his game to another level with the Gunners and praised the club's manager Mikel Arteta.Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this.
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"In football, amazing opportunities arise. Big clubs, like Arsenal, have come for me and it's really hard to turn down," Rice said.
I wholeheartedly believe in Mikel's vision for Arsenal and the team he is shaping. I am eagerly anticipating the future that lies ahead with the club.
Mikel's work ethic, the youthful nature of the squad, the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the club, and the formidable task of restoring Arsenal to their rightful place – all of these hold great significance to me.
"I know the fans really want that. For me as a player, I've come here really hungry to have more success and to spend my best years at this great club.
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Arteta: Rice an exceptional talent
Arteta expressed his confidence in me, stating that he will bring out the best in my abilities. I am aware that there are further improvements I can make in my game, and I firmly believe that he is the ideal manager to guide me towards reaching those new heights. Working alongside him fills me with immense excitement and anticipation.Declan is bringing undeniable quality to the club, showcasing exceptional talent with the potential for tremendous success here. At just 24 years old, Declan possesses extensive Premier League experience, having captained a formidable West Ham team and recently securing a European trophy.
"The responsibility and role he has taken on has been very impressive and we are really excited that he is joining us."
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Meanwhile, Arsenal's sporting director, Edu, expressed admiration for Declan and his impressive accomplishments at both club and international levels. The transfer process has been a collaborative endeavor with a well-defined plan, and the club is ecstatic to welcome Declan aboard.
Notably, Declan is a remarkable young talent with exceptional skills and international experience. His addition to our squad aligns perfectly with our strategy of nurturing and competing with young, talented players at the core of our club.
Rice: Playing at 'very highest level' behind decision to move
Declan's timely integration into the squad, alongside Mikel, our coaches, and his new teammates, for the upcoming season, is truly fantastic.Rice: Playing at 'very highest level' behind decision to move
Earlier on Saturday morning, West Ham officially announced Rice's departure from the club without referencing Arsenal in their statement.The clubs and Rice mutually agreed not to mention Arsenal in West Ham's announcement. This decision was made as the 24-year-old wanted to solely express his respect to the Hammers before his official announcement of joining Arsenal. In an open letter to West Ham fans, the England international acknowledged that his ambition to play at the highest level was the driving force behind his difficult decision to depart.
Mikel Arteta's team is set to compete in the upcoming season of the Champions League. They secured the second position in the Premier League, just behind Manchester City who had a £90m bid rejected for Rice. However, Arsenal managed to acquire Rice after their third attempt.
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"The past few days and weeks have been an incredibly overwhelming rollercoaster of emotions," Rice revealed.
"I want to express the difficulty I have faced in making the decision to depart from an environment that I have held dear and deeply cherished."
"This club and its supporters will always be in my heart, and forever a part of who I am.
"Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.
"Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience.
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I am uncertain about my emotions at this moment, but I am confident that you all will comprehend and appreciate my decision to prioritize my allegiance towards my new club.
Whenever I wear the shirt, I will undoubtedly exert maximum effort, as it has been ingrained in me during my time at West Ham. I am certain you wouldn't anticipate anything less from me.
Sullivan: We didn't want to sell Rice
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Last month, Joint-chairman David Sullivan disclosed that the club had reached a gentlemen's agreement with Rice, granting him permission to depart this summer, following his rejection of a highly profitable contract extension offer. In a statement, he expressed his regret over Rice's departure while emphasizing that everyone at West Ham United should take pride in their role in his remarkable journey, from his time at the Academy of Football in Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football.
We want to clarify to our supporters that selling Declan was not our intention. Our plan was to construct our team based on him, and we presented multiple enhanced, extended contract proposals to ensure his future with us.
Nevertheless, when Declan made it evident that he desired to progress and explore new opportunities, the club believed it would be unfair to impede his path, prioritizing the best interests of West Ham United.
West Ham manager David Moyes was understandably sad to see his captain depart the London Stadium.
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"I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Declan for his contributions throughout his tenure at West Ham United," he expressed. "Certainly, bidding farewell to someone who has been with us for such an extended period of time is disheartening, but our focus must now shift towards the future."
History has demonstrated that no player can surpass the significance of the club.
Presently, our main objective is to expand upon the achievements we attained last season. We aim to strengthen our squad, which triumphed in the Europa Conference League, as we embark on our third successive European campaign. Additionally, we will persist in nurturing exceptional young talent through our flourishing academy.
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What Rice adds to Arsenal and where he fits...
Arsenal's belief in acquiring Declan Rice was solidified during their clash with West Ham at the London Stadium in April. The turning point occurred just after the half-hour mark, where Mikel Arteta's team held a comfortable 2-0 lead and seemed destined for victory, gaining a six-point advantage over Manchester City. However, a game-changing display of intelligence from Rice, who is now their most expensive signing, altered the outcome.
Rice dashed ahead upon noticing Kieran Tierney's intention to deliver a pass to Thomas Partey in the depths of the Arsenal territory. He swiftly closed in on the Ghanaian, successfully seizing control of the ball just as he reached him. Then, with great speed, Rice advanced towards the penalty area, locating the advancing Lucas Paqueta.
The subsequent penalty, which was won by Paqueta and successfully converted by Said Benrahma, altered the momentum of the game in favor of Arsenal's opponents. This shift in momentum could potentially impact the title race as well. It is worth noting that the crucial play began with Rice, who showcased several qualities that make him an appealing player for Arsenal. These qualities include his ability to anticipate opportunities, his agility and strength in retrieving the ball, and his composure in setting up his teammate and ultimately drawing the penalty.
Where does Rice's transfer fee rank?
Jude Bellingham recently transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid for a staggering £115m, making him the most expensive English player in history.
Following closely behind, Declan Rice's move to Manchester City cost £5m more than Jack Grealish's £100m transfer fee in August 2021, making him the second most expensive English player ever.
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It would also be only the third time an English club has paid over £100m for a player.
Explained: How Arsenal can afford big-money summer signings
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says that Arsenal's seemingly enhanced willingness to spend is a 'reward' for Mikel Arteta."Arsenal are actually in a very strong position when it comes to spending," he told We News.
"The reason for that is they have managed to get their wages under control.
Arsenal's current wages are £150m to £170m lower compared to 2018. This difference allows them the freedom to invest in new players without significant concern. Additionally, the team benefits from participating in Champions League matches, which bring in premium prices and a minimum prize money of £50m.
Taking everything into consideration, it is likely that they still have some flexibility in terms of their budget for this current period.
Regarding a potential shift in strategy at Arsenal, he affirmed that there has indeed been a change. The club experienced a period of decline during which they were unable to secure a spot in the Champions League.
They successfully removed high-earning players such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from their payroll, allowing them to now actively compete in the market and strive to match other clubs.
Previously known as the Bank of England club, Arsenal has consistently demonstrated strong financial management. This recent shift in spending reflects the recognition of Mikel Arteta's achievement in securing Champions League qualification, which greatly contributes to increased revenue.
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Which football players will be changing teams as the summer transfer window draws to a close at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?Stay informed about the latest transfer news and rumors by visiting our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. Additionally, you can find comprehensive coverage of player signings, departures, and expert analysis on We News.
