- Deal agreed over a week ago
- Contracts delayed by Arsenal's lawyers
- Player has passed medical
WHAT HAPPENED? Sky Sports report that the Hammers board are frustrated at Arsenal's failure to produce the legal paperwork necessary to conclude the deal. A £105 million ($132m) fee was agreed eight days ago between the clubs but the Premier League transfer of the summer so far is still yet to be made official.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The wait appears to be due to a delay in Arsenal's lawyers producing the contracts. With the deal having been football's worst-kept secret for weeks, its perhaps understandable that West Ham are keen to finally sign the paperwork and move on with their own transfer business.
AND WHAT'S MORE: 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.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL AND RICE? 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.