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Arsenal transfer news: Simon Jordan says Declan Rice could join Manchester United

Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
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Simon Jordan has told TalkSPORT (Wednesday, 11.55AM) that he thinks West Ham United captain Declan Rice could end up joining Manchester United if Erik ten Hag continues to drive them forward – amid £80m Arsenal reports.

Rice, 24, has clocked up 220 appearances for West Ham, winning the captaincy after Mark Noble’s retirement. He is a 39-time England star, but his contract at West Ham is due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season. A move is likely.

Rice is unlikely to sign a new deal at this stage, and if West Ham are to get a decent fee for him – they will have to sell him this summer. The Times reported earlier this week that Rice has been made a priority for Arsenal in the summer.

A fee of £80million is likely to be required to land the Hammers icon. But Jordan believes that if Manchester United continue to play the way they are, and force themselves into a title race, they could beat Arsenal to Rice’s signature.

Declan Rice
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

“I’ve got a sneaky suspicion, if Manchester United keeps going the way they are – win a cup, even win the league title, that he could end up occupying the quarterback role at Manchester United,” Jordan told TalkSPORT on Wednesday.

Jordan: West Ham captain Rice could end up joining Manchester United

You would argue that any of the Premier League’s elite could incorporate Rice. At Arsenal, he would surely be the man to come in and improve upon Granit Xhaka, or replace Thomas Partey. Chelsea, well Rice is a former academy product.

Best mates with Mason Mount, and the Blues need to replace the imminent loss of Jorginho and N’Golo Kante. Both are out of contract in the summer. Manchester City signed Kalvin Phillips in the summer, but he has struggled at City.

Liverpool really need better options in the middle of the park, but their focus seems to be Jude Bellingham. United do have Casemiro but one would argue that Rice can push forward more than Casemiro. A potentially super partnership.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images