West Ham is becoming increasingly frustrated with the ongoing delay in finalizing Declan Rice’s much-anticipated transfer to Arsenal.
Sky Sports has reported that the Hammers’ board is growing impatient as Arsenal has failed to provide the necessary legal documentation to complete the deal.
Although a substantial fee of £105 million ($132m) was agreed upon eight days ago, making it the most significant Premier League transfer of the summer thus far, the official announcement is still pending.
The hold-up seems to stem from a delay in Arsenal’s legal team preparing the required contracts.
Considering that the deal has been widely known in football circles for weeks, it is understandable that West Ham is eager to have the paperwork signed and sealed, allowing them to proceed with their own transfer business.
Rice has passed his medical and is currently on holiday in Portugal where he has been keeping himself in shape before he can finally join up with his new team-mates.
All parties will be hoping the lawyers get their act together in time for Rice to jump on the plane for Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States, which begins next week.