Darren Bent says Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal could do with a player of Declan Rice’s quality during the summer transfer window, as he told talkSPORT (07/02/23 at 5:45 pm).
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker added ‘everyone’ needs a player of Rice’s quality, including the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Come the summer, Rice’s contract at West Ham will have 12 months to run. Either he signs a new deal, which looks unlikely or he heads for the exit door.
Clubs in the Champions League are seemingly lining up to take the player on board because he has expressed a desire to play Champions League football.
Not only is Champions League football returning to the Emirates next season, but there is every chance that Arteta’s side will be champions of England.
If that happens, would it persuade a player like Rice to head to north London in the summer? Well, at a possible price of ‘£120 million’ on the player’s head, Bent wants to see the England international repping the Gunners.
“There are a few people that could do with him, isn’t there?!” said Bent. “There is Arsenal. At £120 million, that’s a bit like ‘oof, that’s a lot of money’.
“But Arsenal could do with him. Manchester United could do with him, even though they have Casemiro. Them two together. Liverpool could do with him. Everyone needs that type of holding midfield player.”
THE TIME IS RIGHT
West Ham have been in Europe with Rice and they have tried to knock on the door of Champions League football, but at the end of the day, they have slipped up.
It’s unfortunate that they have had to be involved in a relegation fight this term because those at the London Stadium would have hoped that Rice could leave having secured another European finish with the team.
Either way, the time is right for the player to take that next step. It’s just a case of the right money being put on the table, and in truth, if that doesn’t happen, then Hammers fans might see the hard-hitting midfielder in Claret & Blue colours beyond the summer.
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