Declan Rice transfer: Fabrizio Romano reveals ‘secrets’ to how Arsenal secured £105m deal; next signing already in place

Arsenal are on the cusp of formally announcing the Declan Rice transfer – and Fabrizio Romano has detailed how sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta worked overtime to get the deal over the line.

The future of the West Ham midfielder has dominated plenty of column inches this year. After making clear his desire to leave the London Stadium, Rice has found himself a player in huge demand.

That chase, in the most part, has been led by Arsenal. Arteta quickly identified the 24-year-old England star as a firm target with a summer move his No 1 objective. That goal has been challenged, however, by the likes of Bayern Munich and then Manchester City.

The player also has interest in him from the likes of long-term suitors Chelsea and Manchester United. However, neither of those ever made an official move, leaving Arsenal battling it out with City.

And while West Ham were prepared to let him leave, chairman David Sullivan has always made clear the move would only happen on his terms.

Indeed, Arsenal saw two bids rejected by the Hammers before eventually matching West Ham’s £105m asking price. That will see them make a downpayment of £100m, with a further £5m in add-ons. And their third offer was deemed too much for City, who subsequently withdrew their interest.

Now with a move to Arsenal close to getting the Here We Go seal of approval, Romano has revealed the great lengths Arsenal went to in securing his signature.

And it seems the Gunners’ pair of Artete and Edu have gone the extra mile to get the signing off the ground.

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Arsenal pushed so hard to seal Declan Rice transfer

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has revealed the inner secrets behind Arsenal’s deal for Rice.

He said: “Let me say one thing about the secrets of the Declan Rice deal. We have to include once again not just the director, Edu, who has been pushing on this deal and has been trying to find the best strategy for a long time since January, but also Mikel Arteta.

“In the crucial hours when Manchester City submitted an official bid to sign Declan Rice, it was probably the most difficult and intense hours of the negotiations for Arsenal. Also, in that moment, Arteta was always very convinced of having Declan Rice as an Arsenal star.

“He’s been pushing internally, but also on the player side. He’s been explaining the project and talking about how the Arsenal project is perfect for Rice. His ambitious project is for the future and Declan can be a crucial player there.

“So Arteta has been very clear with all the players Arsenal are negotiating.”

Arsenal now ready to land Jurrien Timber deal

With Kai Havertz signing on the dotted line on and Rice soon to follow, the Gunners are now ready to turn their focus elsewhere.

And the club are also working hard to ensure Ajax defender Jurrien Timber becomes signing No 3.

After seeing an opening offer worth £30m knocked back, Arsenal have upped the ante to nearer £41.5m. Ajax are still hoping for a little bit more, but with Arsenal informing them the bid won’t be raised, Ajax chiefs are currently deliberating over the proposal.

Now there is optimism from the Arsenal end that the Netherlands centre-half will be the next new signing through the door.

Romano continued: “It was the case with Kai Havertz, it’s going to be the same with Jurrien Timber, but especially with Rice. Declan Rice and Arsenal is something that is going to happen also thanks to Edu and Arteta.

“Trust me, they did an incredible job in this story. Now we’re just waiting on the final bits of this story. And then it’s going to be ‘Here We Go’ for Declan Rice!”

Arteta and Edu deserve great credit for their transfer business since taking charge at Arsenal. Granted, they have made several big-money additions, but you cannot argue about the quality each and every signing has brought to the club.

Back in the Champions League, the club now hope to make serious inroads in that competition next season. Given their record with signings so far, few would back against this summer’s arrivals making them an stronger.

READ MORE: Kai Havertz is a marginal gain for Arsenal when they need giant leaps forward