Rice Delays Are No Concern For Arsenal As They Gear Up For US Tour

Arsenal's plans for the coming 2023/24 Premier League campaign continue with pace, and having already secured the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea for a reported £65 million, fans are now eagerly awaiting news on two long speculated captures - West Ham United and England midfielder Declan Rice and Ajax defender, Jurrien Timber.

Many thought that both players would have by now already been announced by the club as we continue our preparations to head out to the United States on Sunday for our US pre season tour, but formal announcements have been curiously quiet.

It is still expected that both stars will be announced ahead of our departure and that, even if they do fly out late, they will join us for at least a portion of the tour, but it is now being claimed that West Ham are growing increasingly frustrated by the delays in our production of the paperwork for £105 million Rice.

There is no great reason to worry here and for fans who like a tony flutter on football betting at Lottoland, there is no reason to not look at the odds of who might be next through the door.

The eventual deal was struck eight odd days ago, but it is said it will finally be signed, and then delivered to the Hammers by close of business today.

The exact cause of this delay is unknown, given as far as West Ham are concerned, he has already successfully completed his medical and everybody knows the finer details on both the transfer and his personal terms have been hammered out and cleared, so it may simply be that the clubs' lawyers are just being a little bit extra patient and triple checking everything, as £100 million up front with £5 million in adds would absolutely eclipse our former transfer record buy - Nicolas Pepe's move from French club Lille back in 2019 which topped out at £72 million.

It means that the 24 year old, 43 capped England international would become the second most expensive British transfer of all time - just falling slightly shy of the reported £106.8 million Chelsea agreed to pay Benfica for Enzo Fernandez back during the last January transfer window.As for Timber, the 22 year old Dutch right back (who can also play centre half), is now said to have completed his medical following a £38 million agreement with Dutch giants Ajax, that will see us pay £34 million up front, with £4 million to follow based on performance related clauses.

With the medical done, his contract is merely a formality at this stage, but it is probably understandable as to why some have developed itchy feet here as these deals have been known about for quite a while now.

There is confidence that both deals will be agreed this weekend.