West Ham United talisman and England international Declan Rice would be a ‘fantastic signing’ for Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders, former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant tells talkSPORT (16 January, 10.30pm).
It’s been clear for some time that Rice is hurtling rapidly towards a career crossroads; the academy graduate-turned-captain weighing up his undying love for West Ham with a burning desire to sample the delights of Champions League football.
The Guardian say Rice – once of Chelsea – is ‘open’ to the idea of making the short trip from the London Stadium to the Emirates.
Arsenal have identified the all-action 24-year-old as their number one summer target. And, with Champions League football on it’s way back to the red corner of North London, the Gunners could go into the off-season with more pulling power than the most ravenous of black holes.
Arsenal could target Declan Rice of West Ham United
“Fantastic signing. That would be a fantastic signing,” says Pennant; on loan at Leeds United the last time Arsenal claimed English football’s biggest prize 19 years ago.
Pennant does have questions, however, about where Rice fits into this Arsenal squad. On current form, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will take some shifting. Rice is unlikely to leave his beloved West Ham for a club who cannot guarantee a starting spot.
Rice only needs to look at the fate of his England team-mate Kalvin Phillips at Manchester City to remind himself of the the potential pitfalls of a big-money move to one of Europe’s elite sides.
“You can’t buy Declan Rice as cover,” Pennant adds. “That (would be) absolutely ludicrous.”
Rice’s contract expires in 2024. As such, come the summer, the World Cup quarter-finalist will have just 12 months remaining on his deal. Telegraph reporter Matt Law, therefore, believes West Ham may accept a cut-price fee of £70 million (London is Blue podcast).
The Hammers’ stance would be weakened further by relegation to the Championship; David Moyes’ side dropping into the relegation zone following Saturday’s dismal 1-0 defeat to fellow underachievers Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
Arsenal, meanwhile, clearly have money to spend. Yes, the Gunners opted against rivalling Chelsea’s eye-watering Mykhaylo Mudryk bid. But the fact they were happy to invest over £60 million on the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger highlights just how deep Arteta’s pockets are at present.
Champions League qualification and Premier League glory will only enhance Arsenal’s budget and pulling power.
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