Arsenal hoping to sign Rice before US tour With Timber Arrival

Arsenal are hopeful of completing the signing of Declan Rice before the squad flies to the USA for their pre-season tour on Sunday.

Rice is finalising his move to the Gunners from West Ham for a club-record £105m fee, broken down into an initial payment of £100m with £5m in add-ons.

The deal will eclipse Arsenal's previous record purchase, which is currently Nicolas Pepe from Lille for £72m in 2019.

Rice's signing will be just short of the British transfer record, which was set by Chelsea when they paid Benfica £106.8m for Enzo Fernandez in January.

Arsenal are also expected to confirm the signing of Jurrien Timber, with the club hopeful of including the defender in their squad for their friendly away to FC Nurnberg on Thursday.

Timber has completed his medical ahead of his £38m transfer from Ajax and the paperwork is being finalised on a long-term contract.