When former West Ham captain and academy graduate Declan Rice was sold for £100m in July 2023 to the North London club, it included a £5m of add-ons based on certain conditions.

A source in the industry with connections to the club told Claret and Hugh that the bonus related only to Champions League qualification.

West Ham will NOT receive any money from Arsenal if, as expected, they win the Premier League this season.

The Hammers receive £1m for each year Arsenal qualify for the Champions League from May 2024 to May 2029.

As Arsenal qualified for the Champions League by finishing second in the Premier League in both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons, so West Ham have already banked £2m.

This season is another guaranteed £1m of add-ons with qualification all but nailed on, and there is no reason to believe that West Ham won’t earn the maximum £5m over the next two seasons.