A West Ham board confidant has revealed that Arsenal have been given a 72-hour warning that co-owner David Sullivan is prepared to ‘walk away’ from the Declan Rice deal.
The Declan Rice transfer saga between the Gunners and the Hammers has had another twist added to it with the dampener to the deal now down to the period over which the Arsenal are to pay the British transfer record £105m to West Ham.
The Hammers are eager to have the money paid over a maximum of 18 months whereas Arsenal’s offer was set out over four years.
Although it may seem it’s only a matter of time until that issue is ironed out, the latest news is that Arsenal have been given a 72-hour warning by a West Ham board confidant that co-owner David Sullivan is prepared to ‘walk away’ from the whole deal.
Despite many fans of both the Gunners and the Hammers expecting to see the deal completed and perhaps even announced on Monday – particularly after an update from a reporter close to the West Ham board over the weekend stating that the east Londerners could even end up getting more than the £105m mooted – it seems Arsenal are now reluctant to back down on their stance over the payment terms. West Ham are also likewise not going to bow down either.
Hence the news that Arsenal have been given a 72-hour warning by a West Ham board confidant that Sullivan is evidently prepared to ‘walk away’ from the Rice deal.
“West Ham are prepared to walk away from £105m deal with Arsenal if they don’t get their way in the next 72 hours,” West Ham board confidant Sean Whetstone said.
“The Hammers have dug in and made their position clear on payment structure and other clauses to successfully conclude the deal.
“Ball is in Arsenal’s court, take it or leave it.”
The midfielder effectively has two years left on his Hammers contract so the West Ham board are in a strong position.