West Ham United can help Arsenal win the Premier League title by taking a result at Manchester City but would it trigger any of the add-ons from Declan Rice’s transfer?
The Gunners went big to sign Rice last July after paying the Irons a club-record fee for their captain. His last act as a West Ham player was to lift the Europa Conference League title for their first major trophy since 1980. Now, Rice may help Arsenal to win the Premier League.
Arsenal have not lifted a top-flight title since Arsene Wenger oversaw the Invincibles back in 2003/04. Mikel Arteta also heads into the final day of the season requiring a favour from his former coach, David Moyes. Arsenal cannot win the title if Manchester City beat West Ham.
Arsenal need a favour from West Ham United to win the Premier League title
Manchester City are two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with one game to go. But the Gunners can win the title on goal difference if the two teams finish the 2023/24 season level on points. Arsenal currently hold a +61 record to the Citizens’ +60.
Arsenal must beat Everton and would also need West Ham to draw at Manchester City this Sunday to win the title on goal difference. Arteta has to oversee a win against his old team regardless of the result at Etihad Stadium for his Emirates Stadium natives to take the title.
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Everton and West Ham do not have anything to play for themselves on the final day of the season, other than pride. The Toffees have secured their safety for another season and will either finish in 15th or 16th place. The Irons are guaranteed to finish the term in ninth spot.
So, would West Ham benefit from helping Arsenal win the Premier League title by taking a result at Manchester City? Simply put, no. None of the add-ons the Gunners agreed to put in Rice’s transfer from West Ham to Arsenal last summer relate to them ever winning a trophy.
Declan Rice’s transfer add-ons are not tied to Arsenal winning any trophies
Rice cost Arsenal an initial £100m to sign with West Ham accepting their offer with a further £5m in potential add-ons. But The Telegraph now reports that the Gunners will only have to pay the Irons £1m each time they qualify for the Champions League in Rice’s first five terms.
The clause also states that Rice must have played at least 60% of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures to meet the per-season aspect. As the 25-year-old has started 36 and played in 37 of their games this term, the Gunners have now paid the Irons the first £1m for the add-ons.
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Rice is also now the most expensive British player sold between two Premier League clubs at £101m. West Ham accepted Arsenal’s offer to put the add-ons onto their Champions League hopes as the total package met the Irons’ preferred payment plan with a large upfront sum.
Reports by Sky Sports in July 2023 also noted that Arsenal will only pay West Ham £1m each time they qualify for the Champions League and Rice plays 60% of their matches through his first five seasons at the Emirates. Arsenal also agreed to pay the £100m fee over 24 months.