That’s according to the Mirror although it may or may not be the case given that talks are continuing on the payment structure of the £105 million fee which, we are told, will see the 24 year old remain a hammer next season
They added that they expected things to take another 72 hours to be settled and that the two sides were fighting on a number of issues.
However, the two clubs are yet to finalise the payment structure of the deal, as Arsenal have so far been reluctant to bow to the demands of West Ham, who want the full fee paid by the start of 2025 the latest.
Talks are now believed to be at their final stages, though, and according to The Mirror Rice has now returned from his summer break in anticipation of his Arsenal medical.