West Ham 'confirm' Declan Rice transfer to Arsenal with club website update

West Ham appear to have all but confirmed Declan Rice's transfer to Arsenal with a notable 'clue' that has appeared on their official club website.

The 24-year-old's move to the Emirates Stadium is impending, with the two clubs reaching an agreement on his transfer last week.

As initially reported by the Daily Mail, the only hurdle in talks related to the structure of payments. Arsenal wanted to pay the initial £100 million fee in a series of instalments, while West Ham wanted the money in full by the summer of 2025.

But the issue was reportedly not in danger of causing the deal to collapse, and Rice is set to become the Gunners' second signing of the summer after they secured the signature of Kai Havertz from Chelsea.

Rice had been Arsenal's top target since January, at a point when manager Mikel Arteta identified his side's midfield as an area for significant improvement in the summer.

They did face late competition from reigning treble winners and Premier League champions Manchester City, but they pulled out of negotiations after deciding they were unwilling to go above their £90 million bid. That offer was rejected by West Ham.

Now, it appears that the Rice deal is all but done.

West Ham make Declan Rice decision

Prior to each new season, most clubs provide the option of being able to purchase their new shirts online, with numbering and name options available.

Typically, the names of each of the club's first team players is a pre-listed option via a drop-down list, meaning supporters can easily get the name and number of their favourite stars on the back of their new shirts.

In West Ham's case, they offer the option to shop by player on their official club website.

Supporters can choose from any member of the club's first team squad. That's except for Rice, who has been removed from the squad section.

It is worth noting, too, that the Hammers are yet to release their kits for 2023/24, meaning supporters can only buy the 2022/23 kits - a season in which Rice helped the club to lift the Europa Conference League trophy.

But his removal appears to indicate that a move to Arsenal is coming soon - and the Gunners have also dropped another 'hint' that the England international is on his way.