Arsenal and West Ham have reached a full agreement over the proposed transfer of Declan Rice, according to David Ornstein of .

The Gunners have been pursuing Rice for quite some time, with manager Mikel Arteta keen on adding a quality defensive midfielder to his ranks to help them mount a stronger challenge for the Premier League title. Several days ago, the clubs agreed on the amount of £105 million as the total fee, with £100m guaranteed and £5m to follow through add-ons, but Arsenal offered to pay the whole package within four years, while the Hammers wanted it done in 18 months maximum.

They ve now settled that particular difference by agreeing on three installments over two years, and the 24-year-old England international is set to complete his move to the Emira…

The agent of Barcelona defender Maxwell has revealed that his client will not join Benfica in the winter transfer window.

The Portuguese giants are understood to be in the market for a new full-back as Joan Capdevila is widely expected to leave the club in January because of his lack of first-team opportunities.

Reports in Spain claimed earlier this week that Benfica were keeping an eye on Maxwell if they failed in their efforts to lure Cristian Ansaldi away from Rubin Kazan.

The Brazilian defender, who moved to Barcelona from Inter in 2009, has made only five club appearances this term, but his agent insists his client is not leaving the Spanish champions.

The only reason Maxwell has not been playing for Barcelona is because he was injured, Mino Raiola…

Queens Park Rangers have joined the race to sign Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, .

The 29 year old, who starred for France at this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil, has also been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool, while Dynamo Moscow have tabled a £5.5m bid.

However, Harry Redknapp is ready to match that offer as he looks to continuing strengthening his squad for a first season back in the top flight.

Valbuena has spent the past eight campaigns with Marseille, during which time the side have finished as runners-up in Ligue 1 four times, going one better in 2010 when they edged out Lyon to the clinch the championship.

QPR have already signed centre-back duo Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker in the close season, while they have also been li…

Italy s defensive solidity can lead them to success at Euro 2016, says Giorgio Chiellini.

The 2012 European Championship runners-up cruised through their qualification group for the upcoming tournament, but have been hit with injuries to key players such as Claudio Marchisio and Marco Verratti.

However, Juventus centre-back Chiellini thinks Italy will fare better than at the 2014 World Cup, when they crashed out in the pool stages.

The Euros are a different competition from the World Cup, it s not a clash of completely different styles, he told a media conference.

In my opinion there will be much more balanced play, and our strength must be our solidity. We have to make sure we don t concede much and win matches that way. Italy will have to be a team…

Melbourne City star Damien Duff has predicted contrasting fortunes for two of his former clubs – Chelsea and Fulham.

The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland international left Fulham at the end of last season after the club s relegation from the Premier League.

Duff signed a one-year deal with Melbourne City, who are majority owned by the City Football Group, in the A-League in June.

Speaking to Perform on Tuesday, he said Chelsea – where he played from 2003-06 – deserved to be heavy favourites to claim the Premier League title.

Obviously Chelsea are firm favourites, Duff said, speaking after featuring in a 5-0 pre-season friendly win for City.

If [Jose] Mourinho doesn t win it in the first year, he always wins it in the second year. I …

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Paris Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier for a reported fee of £23million.

The right-back completed his move on deadline day and signed a five-year contract with Mauricio Pochettino s side after he was granted a work permit.

Aurier was linked with a host of clubs from around Europe, including Spurs Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

This is a huge and exciting opportunity at a massive football club and I am determined to prove myself as a professional both on and off the pitch, he told Spurs official website. 

This is a fresh start for me and I will do everything to make the Spurs fanbase, which is huge and diverse, proud of me.

The fans are the most important people at any club a…

Romelu Lukaku has no fear about battling Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a spot in the Manchester United line-up.

Lukaku has made an impressive start to life at United since his move from Everton in a reported £75million deal, scoring four goals in as many appearances.

However, he will have Ibrahimovic trying to take his place in the team when the Swede, who re-signed at Old Trafford on a one-year deal last month, returns from a knee injury in January.

But the Belgium international is not concerned about losing out, expressing his delight to have a player who has won 31 trophies during an illustrious career in the squad.

Asked if competition with Ibrahimovic could help him improve, Lukaku told the BBC: Of course. You don t fear the competition, you relish it.

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