Declan Rice is all set to become British football’s most expensive player ever when he completes his now mutually-agreed \u00a3105m transfer deal between West Ham and Arsenal, eclipsing Jack Grealish’s \u00a3100m move in the process.<\/p>\n
Grealish left his boyhood club Aston Villa in the summer of 2021 to join Manchester City in a record \u00a3100-million fee deal which in turn made him British football’s most expensive player ever.<\/p>\n
Two years on and Rice is following in his England international teammate\u2019s footsteps after having risen through the ranks at West Ham United – a club he joined aged 14. When the transfer deal is officially announced once his medical is completed, the 24-year-old will he be Arsenal\u2019s record all-time highest signing at \u00a3105m, effectively eclipsing Grealish as British football’s most expensive player to date.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, there will be pressure placed on Rice’s shoulders immediately for the price-tag alone. After all, many before him have struggled with the weight of such a hefty fee – his soon-to-be new teammate Nicolas Pepe is a prime example – but who better than Grealish to turn to for inspiration?<\/p>\n
Upon joining Man City the winger was quizzed on his \u00a3100m transfer fee and said it was something he was relishing and that he did not feel burdened by any expectations: “It doesn’t put no pressure on me whatsoever,” he said at his unveiling.\u00a0I take that as a compliment.<\/p>\n
“I actually like it, I think it is a good tag to have. I think when you see a football club paying that much for a player it means they trust and value you highly and see so much potential there to work with. I just see it as a good thing. I just hope now I can repay this whole football club by winning as many titles as possible and winning that trophy is all we want.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"