Arsenal May Break Unwritten Rule to Hand Declan Rice Dream Shirt Ahead of Move

• Declan Rice looks set to join Arsenal this summer after weeks of transfer speculation
• It remains to be seen what number he will wear if he moves to the Emirates Stadium
• Rice's preferred No. 41 is currently in the custody of Arsenal youngster Mika Biereth

Arsenal may reportedly have to break an unwritten rule to hand summer target, Declan Rice, his dream shirt ahead of a possible transfer move.

Rice is a top transfer target for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta keen to reinforce his squad with his presence in preparation for next season.

The north Londoners have already sealed the signing of Kai Havertz, who joined the club from Chelsea, as Sports Brief previously reported.

However, reports claim Arteta is looking to bolster his squad further and has shortlisted Rice among his main transfer targets this window.

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The Athletic's David Ornstein reports that Arsenal and West Ham United have finally agreed on a payment structure for the midfielder, paving the way for his imminent move to the Emirates Stadium.

A fee of £105 million is understood to have been agreed between the two parties, with that figure making him the most expensive English player in history.

Will Rice get dream number?

Sportbible reports that one of the dilemmas now facing Arsenal ahead of Rice's pending arrival is the shirt he will sport at the club. The West Ham ace currently wears the number 41 jersey.

However, that shirt has already been taken by the Gunners' young forward, Mika Biereth, who is yet to make his senior debut.

Additionally, Arsenal are understood not to generally allow first-team players to wear numbers over 36.

No. 35 is currently the highest squad number in the team and is worn by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who joined the club from Manchester City.

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As such, the north Londoners may need to bend their own unwritten rules to accommodate Rice ahead of his move. It also remains to be seen if Biereth will be willing to give up the shirt for the midfielder.

Havertz’s first Arsenal interview leaked

Sports Brief also reported that Havertz’s first Arsenal interview was leaked online more than 24 hours before his move was made official by the two clubs.

How this happened is yet to be ascertained, but his first words and pictures in the new home kit for next season trended before the move was finalised.