In the thrilling world of football transfers, Arsenal is making big waves, nearing the completion of two high-profile acquisitions. West Ham United's acclaimed captain and midfield powerhouse Declan Rice, and Chelsea's talented player Kai Havertz, are on the brink of becoming Gunners.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shed light on the financial specifics of Rice's imminent move to Arsenal. It appears that West Ham United has received a compelling £105 million ($132.64 million) offer from Arsenal, with £100 million ($126.32 million) serving as the upfront fee and an additional £5 million ($6.31 million) in performance-related add-ons. However, Romano confirmed that the discussions surrounding the terms of payment and deal structure are ongoing, with West Ham United pushing for the £100 million to be settled within an 18-month window.
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Kosovo v England - Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo - November 17, 2019 England's Declan Rice celebrates after the match.
Rumours regarding Arsenal's interest in Rice have been circulating since the transfer window opened. Despite competition from Manchester City, Arsenal is set to secure the dynamic midfielder, a development many fans are hailing as a pivotal step towards claiming the domestic league trophy for the first time since the 2003-04 season, when Thierry Henry was a marquee player, and Arsene Wenger was the team's manager.
But the Gunners' prowess in the transfer window doesn't stop there. Romano revealed that a £65 million ($82.1 million) deal for Chelsea's Kai Havertz is also nearing fruition. Arsenal's offer seemingly outweighed an earlier proposal from Real Madrid, believed to be between "€50 million ($53.57 million) to €60 million ($64.29 million)" along with "bonus payments".
Kai Havertz is expected to push ahead with his Chelsea signing after the club won a spot on the Champions League next season.
In the days leading up to the transfer window, most speculations pointed to Havertz's potential move to the Spanish La Liga side. However, the Gunners' proposal, which exceeds Real Madrid's by a notable €10 million (£8.63 million, $10.9 million), gave Chelsea the financial flexibility they sought, thereby swinging the deal in Arsenal's favor.
As the transfer window progresses, it will be intriguing to see how competing clubs respond to Arsenal's bold signings. With these two key midfielders off the market, other clubs may look beyond the English Premier League to strengthen their squads, intensifying the drama of this transfer season.
