Arsenal finally announced the signing of England international midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham United on Saturday in a deal totalling £105 million.
Fans were wondering why it took long for the North London club to make things official, and the Daily Mail reckons it could have to do with a major cash injection.
The television money from the Premier League for 2022-23 landed in clubs’ bank accounts on Friday, and it seems Arsenal were waiting for the ‘giant injection’ to complete part of the payment for Rice.
As revealed by Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol, the Gunners are parting with an initial £100m over 24 months, with the £5m add-ons set to be paid in £1m instalments every time Arsenal qualify for the Champions League and Declan starts 60% of the games.
While the exact amount the North Londoners have received in TV money is unknown, a report from May claimed they were due to be paid £162m.
Such an amount surely comes in handy at the moment, and more players could be signed following the acquisitions of Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
Arsenal have been linked with another midfielder and right winger, and it will not be surprising if more players are added before the new season starts.
They have wasted no time putting the TV money to good use, and signing Rice could make a huge difference in the title race next term.
The Gunners fell apart towards the end of last term despite leading the way for the majority of the Premier League campaign.
Arsenal sense Rice will give them a better chance of winning the title as a bit more oomph in midfield could be vital.
They reckon that they might not have blown those 2-0 leads against Liverpool and West Ham during the run-in if he had been protecting the back four, and it will be interesting to see how he fares at his new club.
