Home Entertainment Revealed: Declan Rice REJECT Man City deal to join Arsenal as £105m prepares to form new-look midfield alongside Kai Havertz under Mikel Arteta

Revealed: Declan Rice REJECT Man City deal to join Arsenal as £105m prepares to form new-look midfield alongside Kai Havertz under Mikel Arteta

Entertainment — 05/06/2024

Declan Rice, an England midfielder, has signed a long-term contract with Arsenal for a fee of £105 million from West Ham. Following an outstanding season with the Hammers that culminated in his stardom in their Europa Conference League victory against Fiorentina in May, Rice became involved in one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer, with Arsenal and Man City vying for his signature ever since. 

Arsenal have finally clinched the £105m signing of England star Declan Rice from West Ham

The Gunners made two attempts to sign the 24-year-old, one for £80 million and the second for £90 million, but both were turned down before City entered the race.  However, despite interest from Manchester United, Arsenal emerged as the clear front-runners for Rice after City withdrew from talks, and the team eventually had a deal of £100 million + £5 million in add-ons approved.

Arsenal will hope Rice is the final piece of their jigsaw as they hunt down trophies next seasonWest Ham - headed by chief David Sullivan - had played hardball over Rice before eventually securing a £105m fee from the Gunners, who have been very active so far this transfer window

Rice is adored by Arteta, who sees him being the team’s captain in the future. He joins Arsenal as their second summer acquisition following the £65 million acquisition of German playmaker Kai Havertz from Chelsea. Havertz will be used by Arteta as a No. 8 in midfield, with Rice serving as the pivot in behind of him to give Martin Odegaard more room to advance. 

Mikel Arteta introduced Rice to the rest of his squad, inviting the midfielder to say a few wordsMikel аrtetа intrоduced Rice tо the rest оf his squаd, inviting the midfielder tо sаy а few wоrdsThe England international admitted he's 'looking forward' to achieving great things at Arsenal

“This project seemed more exciting and that’s why I chose to come to Arsenal, because I believe we’re on to big things here,” Rice said.

He continued, “I enjoy it,” in reference to the animosity that has grown between him and Rodri now that they are rivals rather than teammates. I think we’re different players. Since his birth in Spain, Rodri has been a natural No. 6. His playing style clearly demonstrates how much time he spent learning under Pep [Guardiola]. Compared to me, he is far more organized. I consider myself to be far more impromptu. Of course, I’ve been better organized this season. However, I feel like I’m playing with a little bit more freedom. We complement each other on a variety of areas, but there’s no denying that he is the greatest person alive.”

Arsenal wants to win the Premier League for the first time in their 20-year history, but City is in their way. The Gunners are ahead by one point, but their opponents still have a game left that might give them the advantage. As well as playing Bournemouth and Everton, Arsenal’s biggest test likely to be a trip to Manchester United in their penultimate game on May 12. If that match was lost, City would very certainly win the title.