The statement, which accompanied the player’s address to West Ham fans, did not say which team Rice would move to or for how much, saying it was a difficult decision driven by his desire to play at the highest level of the game.
It will be an unusual experience to play in a team opposite West Ham for the first time,” said Rice, 24. ‘I don’t yet know exactly how I will feel, but I also know that you will all understand and respect that my professional allegiance must now be to my new club.
Arsenal will reportedly pay £100 million ($131 million) for Rice, who spent nine years at West Ham. Additional costs are likely to be added to the sum.
The initial fee is reportedly equal to the England record fee Manchester City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021.
Another England midfielder, Jude Bellingham, moved to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this offseason, a deal that could exceed $139 million.
That would be Arsenal’s statement after a season in which the club nearly won the Premier League title but rebounded in England under Mikel Arteta.
Rice would effectively replace Granit Xhaka in Arsenal’s midfield, as the Swiss player moved to Bayer Leverkusen last week.
Rice can play as a supporting midfielder as well
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