According to CBS journalist, Ben Jacobs, who was writing on Simon Phillips’ website, Arsenal are well in the race to sign Declan Rice this summer.
Rice has been linked to almost every top club in England – Liverpool have been linked recently, as have Chelsea, but now, Jacobs claims that Arsenal are well in the race.
For quite a while it seemed as though a player like Rice may be unattainable for Arsenal, but the footballing landscape has changed over the past few months.
West Ham’s poor start to the season has seen Rice’s stock drop substantially, while Arsenal’s rise to the summit of the Premier League has seen the Emirates, once again, transformed into one of the most alluring destinations in world football.
This move would actually make a lot of sense.
A move to Arsenal wouldn’t upset West Ham fans as much as a move to Chelsea as the rivalry isn’t as fierce, while the Gunners could really do with some new, young blood in the midfield.
As for the football Arsenal play, Rice would fit like a glove into the Thomas Partey role, and we have to imagine that is where Mikel Arteta would plan on using the England international.
Yes, Rice hasn’t been all that great this season, but he’s still a real talent. Jude Bellingham was waxing-lyrical about him at the World Cup, and you don’t earn praise from a player that talented unless you have something about you yourself.
The race for Rice’s signature will be incredibly interesting to follow, especially if West Ham don’t find a way to claw themselves out of the relegation battle they currently find themselves in.
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