Manchester United target Declan Rice is “captivated” by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, according to journalist Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter in The Independent (1:31pm, January 20, 2023).
The journalist has reported that Arsenal and Manchester United both are interested in signing Rice from Premier League rivals West Ham United in the summer of 2023.
United, though, are not exactly desperate for Rice as they have Brazilian midfielder Casemiro in their team now.
For Rice, a move to Old Trafford is no longer his “first preference”, according to Delaney, who has added that the England international midfielder is “captivated by what Arsenal are doing”.
According to a report The Guardian earlier this week, Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the 24-year-old, who can also operate as a defender and was described as “devastating” by former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel.
Declan Rice stance on Arsenal and Manchester United
Delaney wrote: “Manchester United have also resurrected interest in Declan Rice but that position is no longer a priority due to Casemiro’s immense impact.
“That might be good timing for such a deal, too, because Old Trafford would no longer be the player’s first preference.
“Rice is captivated by what Arsenal are doing. It shows much has transformed at the club.”
Could a transfer happen?
In our view, if Arsenal win the Premier League title or finish in the top four this season, then they could be able to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United.
Now, of course, the Hammers will be determined to get as much money as they can for Rice, but the Gunners should be able to afford it.
Rice would make Arsenal so much better in the middle of the park and could form a great partnership with Thomas Partey.
Moreover, the Englishman is still only 24, so he could still grow and develop as a footballer.
Arsenal have a very young and dynamic team, and Rice would fit in nicely at the Emirates Stadium.
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