Declan Rice is reportedly favouring a move to Premier League leaders Arsenal as he is tempted by the prospect of playing for Mikel Arteta, according to journalist Jacob Steinberg.
It is widely expected that the gifted England international will be following the likes of Craig Dawson, who joined Wolves [22 January] out of the London Stadium exit door, after strong interest from the Premier League’s top clubs for a long while.
And a move to one of the top-flight’s most elite clubs may well be on the cards, with Sky Sports [17 January] reporting that the midfielder is expected to have a whole host of suitors this summer.
A report in the Times [16 January] revealed that Arsenal have made Rice their priority target for the summer transfer window in a potential £80m move.
And according to the Guardian journalist Steinberg in his piece [22 January], the 24-year-old star is “almost certain to leave West Ham” and leaning towards a move to the Gunners over Chelsea as he is excited by the prospect of working for Arteta, who has drawn up plans to see where he figures in the Emirates set up.
He also reports that the Hammers will be hoping to fetch more than £100m for Rice, making him “the most expensive British player”.
Taking to his personal Twitter account to share the report, he tweeted [22 January]: “Declan Rice favouring a move to Arsenal over Chelsea as West Ham exit nears.”
Huge
This could well be a huge move for Rice, and an opportunity he very much deserves following his stunning rise to stardom at the London Stadium.
The England international has become one of Europe’s best and most coveted midfielders over the past 18 months, and his game could well be taken up a level under the progressive stewardship of Arteta.
The 24-year-old has proven a sensational and consistent servant for the Hammers since his emergence in 2017, going on to make over 200 appearances for the East London outfit over the last five years.
With Arsenal sure to be playing Champions League football next season, following their lofty position in the Premier League table currently, they are well versed to offer Rice the opportunity and desire he craves.
He is an elite-level player, one whose qualities and skills deserve to be playing at the top level of club football. There may be no better platform to do that than the Emirates Stadium. Imagine Rice alongside Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
