DECLAN RICE will undergo his Arsenal medical on Friday ahead of a club-record £105million move.
The midfielder, 24, is expected to finalise his switch from West Ham and become the most expensive British player in Prem history.
GettyDeclan Rice is set to undergo a medical on Friday[/caption]
The Gunners had a bid worth £100million with a further £5m in a add-ons accepted last week.
They then agreed a payment structure with West Ham that will see the amount paid off by the summer of 2025.
Personal terms had already been agreed verbally weeks ago, and a medical will now be booked in the next 24 hours with an official announcement expected this weekend.
Arsenal originally wanted to stagger a section of the payment across a longer period while West Ham demanded the full amount within 18 months.
These minor payment issues had never been seen as derailing, but the Hammers were insistent on digging their heels in to get the deal they wanted.
Rice’s transfer will also see the Gunners smash the £72m they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe back in 2019.
Both Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and Rice were desperate to get this over the line as quickly as possible.
And with the impending departure of Granit Xhaka, Rice has been tipped to replace the Swiss midfielder and take up a new role.
Having previously starred for West Ham in a two-man midfield in front of the defence, Rice would slot into the left side of a three if he takes up Xhaka’s position.
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The new role would see the 24-year-old play as a number eight, rather than as a number six, where he has featured so far in his career.
Instead of receiving the ball deep in his own half, the England star would instead be gaining possession facing the opposition in the final third.
He would also be expected to attack the box from deep in the opposition half as Arsenal look to breakdown the defence.
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