Declan Rice, the captain of West Ham United, is said to prefer a move to Arsenal over a return to his boyhood club Chelsea.
Chelsea Online News | Arsenal Transfer News
The defensive midfielder appears to be on his way out of the London Stadium as the Hammers struggle at the bottom of the table.
Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in purchasing Rice this summer.
An ambitious England international named Rice wants to challenge himself in the Champions League.
At the age of 24, he has remained devoted to the team that gave him another shot at football after Stamford Bridge turned him down.
But now that he is about to depart, it seems a move to the Gunners has caught his attention, even though many thought a return to Chelsea was very likely, especially as his close pal Mason Mount still remains in west London.
The player, who started every game for England at the World Cup in Qatar, is a favorite of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Additionally, his plan for Rice has the target’s interest, according to The Guardian.
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Manchester United is expected to compete with the two London clubs for his signature, and Man City has also expressed interest. West Ham are hoping to complete a deal worth about £100 million.
However, they may have to accept a bid of about £80 million given that Rice’s contract expires in 2024.
In light of his admiration for Arsenal boss Arteta, Rice apparently favours a transfer there.
Given that Rice’s contract expires in 2024, they might have to accept a proposal of roughly £80 million.
And it’s a price the Gunners can afford after their failed Mykhailo Mudryk pursuit, with revenge possibly on their minds heading into the summer.
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Danny Murphy, a former Premier League player, believes Arsenal should do everything possible to signe Rice.
“I think that would be a huge, huge move for Arsenal,” Murphy explained on talkSPORT’s Kick Off show last Monday.
“You’re not just getting a wonderful midfielder who would be there for the rest of his career maybe if they carry on, you’re also getting an English one who fans can relate to, they know he can do it in the Premier League.
“He’s going to get better and I think he’ll get more of a platform to score goals.
“I think that would be the perfect type for Arsenal because they are heavily reliant on Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.”
Meanwhile, talkSPORT host and Arsenal fan Laura Woods was also over the moon with the transfer link.
Woods said on The Sports Breakfast last week: “I would go and pick him up myself. I’d turn my car on, I’d drive to wherever he lives, I would pack his suitcases for him and put them in the back of the car!”
