Football News: Arsenal 'reach full agreement with West Ham over £105m Declan Rice move'

Arsenal and West Ham United have reportedly achieved a final agreement on a deal for Declan Rice, with the midfielder set to undergo a medical at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners had previously agreed on a cost of £105 million with West Ham, though further talks were required to establish the payment mechanism.

According to the Daily Mail, the two clubs have reached an agreement, with Mikel Arteta's side agreeing to pay the total fee in three instalments over the course of 24 months.

Rice will now have a medical with the North London club before signing a long-term contract, with a weekly salary of at least £250,000 expected.

Last season, the 24-year-old captained West Ham to Europa Conference League victory, and he appeared on 50 occasions in all competitions throughout the 2022-23 season.

A number of teams had been linked with the midfielder, including Manchester United and Liverpool, but Manchester City and Arsenal had emerged as the frontrunners for his signature.

Man City, on the other hand, were unwilling to spend more than £100 million for Rice, giving Arsenal a distinct advantage in the latter phases of the transfer story.

The Gunners have yet to officially confirm the deal because they were unable to reach an agreement with West Ham over the structure of the move, but it is believed that a full agreement has finally been achieved, with Rice likely to complete a lucrative switch to Arsenal.

The midfielder leaves the Hammers having made 245 appearances across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 13 assists.

This summer, Arsenal have already signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea, while a deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is thought to be nearing completion.

Rice, on the other hand, will be the club's most high-profile addition in the current market, and it is a statement of ambition from a Gunners team that placed second in the Premier League table last season.

Mikel Arteta, the head coach, is reportedly going to utilise Rice and Havertz in a midfield three alongside Martin Odegaard.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey were both key players for the Gunners last season, but both are being linked with moves away from the club.

Arsenal's preseason will begin on July 13 against Nurnberg, and their first competitive encounter of the 2023-24 season will be against treble winners Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 6.

For more Sports updates please follow us on Twitter