Quote from: onecall123 on Today at 06:51:54 AM

True. Arsenal have been negotiating with West Ham for Rice since November of last year.

Was it? I actually don't recall him being in the shortlist but surely Rice would have been a name discussed at least back then.

Quote from: onecall123 on Today at 06:51:54 AM

It's hope that Arteta, will get his man through a record-transfer deal.

It's a done deal. Verbal agreement between the clubs West Ham and Arsenal for the amount. It's just that way of payments is being discussed right now.

Quote from: onecall123 on Today at 06:51:54 AM

However, it's important to consider whether spending such a large sum of money guarantees that the player will meet expectations. I just hope that Rice doesn't disappoint due to the enormous amount involved. Arsenal is patiently waiting him join in the midfield alongside Martin Ødegaard and Thomas Partey.

Spending such huge amount on player means a lot of expectations from the player. A manager might ensure that he can take time and adjust but fans are always impatient and with series of bad performance tend to ask questions about the player and his huge transfer. The thing is that it makes the player in spotlight and which is both good and bad. He will be joining Jorginho as Partey is also reported to leave Arsenal this transfer window^[1].

Quote from: onecall123 on Today at 06:51:54 AM

While I may not agree the idea of Xhaka leaving, but eventually he is on his way out just to make room for Rice. We'll see how quickly Arteta can transform this vision into reality.

I also didn't liked the news about Xhaka leaving but we can't hold a player for long. Maybe he wants to go for a new challenge, so we just have to accept and thank him for his contribution for his long stint at Arsenal.

References :
[1] https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1672601709980286976