Manchester City withdraw from race to sign Declan Rice as Arsenal close in on club record £105m deal

Manchester City have today pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice — leaving Arsenal free to finalise the last details of what will be a club record £105million transfer from West Ham.

Pep Guardiola’s side will turn their attentions to a different midfielder after deciding not to match the Gunners’ £100million plus £5million in add-ons offer which was made on Tuesday.

West Ham want the initial fee to be paid by the start of 2025, whereas Arsenal have been keen on paying over a five-year period. However, as revealed by LondonWorld, the north London giants have remained confident of landing their priority target for weeks.

Talks will continue between the two clubs with an agreement expected to be reached on the final details of the deal within the next 48 hours.

If accepted, Rice would become the most expensive transfer between two British clubs since Jack Grealish’s move to City in 2021.

The transfer fee also means Rice will become Arsenal’s club record signing since Nicolas Pepe’s £72.5million move in 2019.

Formal negotiations between the club began after West Ham’s UEFA Conference League final victory, with Hammers owner David Sullivan revealing that he ‘promised’ Rice he could leave the club this summer.

In a meeting held at the the Spaniard’s house, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta personally conveyed to Declan Rice how he envisions the 24-year-old’s integration into the team. Throughout the discussions, it became evident that Rice's desire has always been to continue his career in London.

Meanwhile, Kai Havertz £65million transfer is now being ratified by the Premier League with an imminent announcement expected.

24-year-old Havertz recently emerged as a direct replacement for Granit Xhaka who is expected to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

They have also agreed on personal terms with 22-year-old right back Jurrien Timber, who is set to make a £38 million move from Dutch giants Ajax.