It’s a case of so near yet so far in Arsenal’s pursuit of West Ham star, Declan Rice, with the Hammers hierarchy continuing to play hardball over certain aspects of the deal.
Though The Sun suggest that everything remains close to being sealed, the fact is that the Gunners are still trying to negotiate over every tiny detail.
West Ham have been fairly clear since the very beginning on price and terms if they were going to allow their captain to go, and that position doesn’t appear to have changed.
Whilst it’s accepted that a record-breaking deal for a British player is never going to be particularly smooth, the overarching details should always have been easier to tie down.
As it stands, the payment structure that Arsenal are proposing isn’t acceptable to David Sullivan and his board, and until there’s a resolution to that aspect, Rice can’t be announced as a new player.
The frustration works both ways of course.
Off the back of a £100m fee, the east Londoners are likely to go on a spending spree which could see them land Harvey Barnes, James Ward-Prowse and other players who will give David Moyes significant strength in depth for a squad that will be challenging in the Europa League as well as domestically in 2023/24.
None of those deals can be done at this stage either, so it’s in everyone’s best interests to sign off as soon as practicable.
I wonder if the tables are turned, will they be West Ham able to pay £100m in 18 months?