West Ham United captain Declan Rice has reportedly returned from his holiday early in order to undergo his medical with Arsenal.
The 24-year-old has been the Gunners' leading midfield target for a number of months, and he has now entered the final year of his contract with the Hammers, who have an option to extend his stay until 2025.
However, having rejected the chance to sign a new deal due to his yearning for Champions League football, Rice will be allowed to leave for the right price in the current window.
Arsenal quickly moved to the head of the queue for Rice's signature, but the Gunners' first two bids were rejected before Manchester City also tried their luck with a £90m offer.
City withdrew their interest after their approach was rebuffed too, giving Arsenal a clear run at the England international, who is reported to have earmarked the Emirates as his preferred destination.
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Arsenal and West Ham are now understood to have shaken hands on a £105m fee, which will see Rice become the Gunners' record signing and the most British expensive player in history.
However, the two clubs are yet to finalise the payment structure of the deal, as Arsenal have so far been reluctant to bow to the demands of West Ham, who want the full fee paid by the start of 2025.
Talks are now believed to be at their final stages, though, and according to The Mirror, Rice has now returned from his summer break in anticipation of his Arsenal medical.
The former Chelsea product enjoyed a brief sojourn in Dubai following his Euro 2024 qualifying exploits with England, and there is hope that he will be an Arsenal player by the end of the week.
Rice's proposed move across the capital will bring an end to his 10-year stay with West Ham, where he has registered 15 goals and 13 assists in 245 matches across all tournaments.
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The England international donned the armband as David Moyes's side beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the Europa Conference League final last season, while also staving off relegation from the Premier League.
Rice ended the 2022-23 campaign with five goals and four assists from 50 matches in all tournaments, and he is expected to become Arsenal's second arrival of the summer after Kai Havertz.
Following confirmation of Rice's arrival, Arsenal are set to intensify their efforts to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, having reportedly agreed a £40m deal in principle with the Amsterdam giants.
Romeo Lavia is still thought to be admired by Gunners chiefs, but Liverpool are also regarded as serious contenders to sign the Southampton starlet in the current window.
Rice's record-breaking transfer could also push Granit Xhaka out of the exit door to Bayer Leverkusen, but the Gunners are supposedly considering raising their asking price for their former captain.
Ben Knapton
