Why Arsenal have not announced the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham has been revealed.
Arsenal broke the bank and forked out a record British offer to sign the highly-rated English footballer.
With agreement reached by both clubs and personal terms reached with the player, almost two weeks have gone without an official announcement from Arsenal.
Arsenal fans have patiently waited for the announcement and confirmation of the move but the club have uncannily remained mute.
However, sources close to the club have revealed Mikel Arteta chased the deal for Declan Rice because he wanted the highly-rated DM to join the Gunners on their preseason which kicks off on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the delay in the announcement has become a concern after Declan Rice missed out on Arsenal’s 2023/24 home kit launch on Monday.
Futballnews understands West Ham accepted Arsenal third bid for Declan Rice and then entered into talks on payment terms and structure.
The two parties also reached agreement on payment structure hence the Gunners were expected to announce the signing immediately. Now, concerns are mounting about undisclosed glitches or drawbacks in the move.
Amid concerns on the possible glitches that must have delayed the announcement, SkySports have confirmed West Ham are not behind the delay in Declan Rice’s announcement.
The report adds West Ham are down-to-earth satisfied with the terms of agreement but Arsenal lawyers are behind the delay.
Arsenal lawyers are yet to approve the deal as they have to carefully study and scrutinize all aspects of the agreement before approval.
However, West Ham will still have to give a nod to seal the move by signing it off when Arsenal lawyers have approved the wordings of the agreement but it is understood West Ham are ready to rubber-stamp the deal having agreed terms with Arsenal.
When will Arsenal lawyers approve the deal?
Mikel Arteta hopes to include Declan Rice in Arsenal preseason hence sources close to the club have revealed Arsenal want their lawyers to thrash out all legal underpinnings of the deal before the preseason starts.
This implies the approval from the club’s legal team is expected before Thursday when the club will take on Nurnberg in their first preseason match.
Arsenal saw off a bidding war from Manchester City to seal a deal with West Ham for Declan Rice.
The Gunners tabled a first rejected bid of £80m for Rice, before dropping another rejected bid of £90m.
After the second bid, Manchester City jumped into the race for Declan Rice, matching Arsenal’s second bid in their first offer for Rice.
It was thought City will hang on in the race for Rice but after Arsenal submitted a record £105m offer for Rice, the Premier League and European champions pulled out with reports emerging the club do not value Rice in excess of £100m as demanded by West Ham.
After City withdrew from the race, West Ham accepted Arsenal’s £105m for Rice and reached agreement on payment structure for the deal to happen. It is hoped the player will be announced on or before Thursday as reported.
