Arsenal’s £105million Declan Rice transfer being delayed due to payment plan

West Ham United want Arsenal to compromise on their £105 million payment plan for Declan Rice, reports the Sun.

The North London club agreed a deal in principle to sign the England international midfielder yesterday.

Rice has also agreed personal terms with Arsenal, but the structure of the up-front £100m sum remains an issue between both clubs.

The Gunners want to spread the payment across five years, but the Hammers want everything paid by early 2025.

The deal is still expected to go through despite the delay, with both clubs expected to reach an agreement as talks continue.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Rice are both desperate to get the deal over the line as quickly as possible, with a medical to be arranged as soon as the green light is given, and the ball is in the Gunners’ court.

Arteta wants the 24-year-old fully integrated before his side’s pre-season tour of the US next month, and getting a deal wrapped up this weekend will come in handy.

The Emirates Stadium outfit will need to agree to West Ham’s demand or shorten their five-year payment structure for the deal to go ahead from the look of things.

Arsenal have done a good job to pip Manchester City to the services of Rice with their third bid, and they must now sort things out quickly.

Landing the Englishman having already signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea will boost their title chances next term, and a deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is expected to follow.