In a sensational development, West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice has been granted permission to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms with Arsenal. The London rivals have successfully reached a comprehensive agreement for the transfer of the England international.

Last week, The Athletic first reported that the clubs had settled on a transfer fee of £105 million and were in the process of negotiating the payment terms. The negotiations have now been concluded, with the agreed fee to be paid in three installments over a span of 24 months. Rice is now poised to undergo a medical examination, which will pave the way for what could potentially be a Premier League record fee for a British player. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

Manchester City, initially seen as strong contenders to secure Rice’s signature, withdrew from the race after Arsenal improved their bid to £100 million, with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons. City had initially matched Arsenal’s proposal of £90 million, offering an increased upfront payment, but both bids were ultimately turned down.

However, Arsenal reentered the picture with an improved offer on Tuesday evening, eager to secure the services of manager Mikel Arteta’s primary summer target.

Rice had one year remaining on his West Ham contract, and club chairman David Sullivan indicated after their Europa Conference League triumph that he anticipated the midfielder to have played his final game for the club, stating that Rice “wanted to go.”

Since his debut in 2017, Rice has made a significant impact at West Ham, amassing 245 appearances for the club. Now, as the midfielder prepares to embark on a new chapter in his career, Arsenal and their supporters eagerly anticipate the official announcement of his arrival, which would mark a landmark transfer and reinforce the Gunners’ aspirations for the upcoming season. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.