This is the real reason West Ham are furious with Arsenal over the Declan Rice deal delay after a vague Sky Sports claim.
As departing West Ham captain Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal continues to drag on, relations between the two clubs are becoming strained.
The British record £105m transfer – which is also a record buy for the Gunners and record sale for the Hammers – has become one of the sagas of the summer transfer window.
Many believed the deal would be announced a couple of weeks ago. Then reports stated it would be last week. Last weekend was the next alleged timescale for the unveiling by Arsenal.
It was then revealed that Rice had gone on holiday to Portugal and won’t be back until later this week, delaying the official move from West Ham to Arsenal further still.
As reported on Tuesday morning, a new issue has hit the Rice move to Arsenal with the hold up down to the north London club’s lawyers.
Earlier today Sky Sports claimed West Ham have voiced their frustration with Arsenal’s conduct and the delay.
“West Ham are becoming increasingly frustrated about the delay with the deal to sell Declan Rice to Arsenal,” the report states.
“The £105m deal was agreed eight days ago but it has not been signed yet. West Ham are still waiting to sign the contracts…
“As far as West Ham are aware, Rice has passed his Arsenal medical. He has been training regularly on holiday in Portugal. Arsenal are hopeful of completing the signing of Rice before the squad flies to the USA for their pre-season tour on Sunday.”
But this is the real reason West Ham are furious with Arsenal over the Rice deal delay after the rather vague Sky Sports claim.
West Ham are on UEFA’s Financial Fair Play watch list and need to tread carefully with how and when they spend money.
So the east Londoners have been literally waiting for the first tranche of the mammoth Rice fee from Arsenal – which is just over £33m – before committing to any deals themselves.
West Ham have had to fly to Australia for a pre-season tour without any new signings.
In fairness David Moyes is known for his dithering in the transfer market at the best of times.
But with new technical director Tim Steidten on board, the Hammers were hoping to get some deals over the line for players identified by the German before his arrival.
Steidten uses a data-driven approach and started work on July 1st with a clear idea of players he feels are just what West Ham need.
While Arsenal have been dragging their heels over the Rice deal, West Ham have already seen potential deals for a number of reported key targets impacted including Viktor Gyokeres, Harvey Barnes, Alex Scott, Denis Zakaria and Luiz Felipe.
One rumoured Steidten target – centre-back Jonathan Tah – had a £17m release clause in his Bayer Leverkusen contract and reports claimed West Ham were keen to activate it. But that expired earlier this week with West Ham unable to do the deal due to the Rice hold-up.
Meanwhile the Hammers can only watch on as Gunners chief Edu and manager Mikel Arteta continue splashing the cash elsewhere on their £200m plus summer spending spree.
The trip Down Under would also have been the perfect opportunity to integrate any new signings into the West Ham squad so they can get to know their new teammates.
So claims that Arsenal want to have Rice on their pre-season tour to the US is also grating on West Ham.
West Ham have a lot of work to do with the season one month away. And what was previously a relatively smooth deal between the London rivals is becoming more fractious.
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