According to a recent Daily Mail report, Arsenal are increasingly likely to win the race for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
What’s the latest on Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal?
Rice is expected to receive offers from a number of Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window, though reports suggest he prefers a move to the Emirates Stadium due to the opportunity to play under Mikel Arteta.
However, it is unclear whether Arsenal will throw everything at the midfielder this summer, with reports claiming they are unwilling to match the fee currently being quoted by West Ham, leaving Chelsea very much in the running.
The Englishman is almost certain to leave the Hammers this summer, with journalist Alex Crook recently confirming he is pushing for a summer move, potentially opening the door for a move to Arsenal.
According to the Daily Mail, the 24-year-old moving to north London this summer is looking increasingly likely, as it would tick a lot of the boxes for what he wants from his next club.
The £60k-per-week central midfielder would be able to stay in London while also competing in the Champions League, making a move to Arsenal a much more appealing proposition than a move to Chelsea, who are almost certain not to compete in Europe’s elite competition.
According to the report, the Gunners could sign the England international for a reduced fee, as West Ham are no longer in a position to demand the £150 million that was discussed a year ago.
Should the Gunners sign Declan Rice?
The former Chelsea youth player has been a bright spot for West Ham this season, averaging a 7.21 Sofascore rating in the Premier League and being by far the best performer in the squad.
The maestro, dubbed a “absolute monster” by the media, is a very confident ball dribbler, ranking in the 88th percentile for progressive carries per 90 over the past year, while a total of 80 tackles last season ranked him eighth in the Premier League, highlighting his defensive acumen.
Arsenal do not require a new central midfielder, with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka performing admirably this season, but Rice would be an excellent addition to the squad, providing real depth ahead of a 2023/24 season in which Arteta will want to compete on all fronts.
