Martin Keown has said on talkSPORT (12:08pm, February 6, 2023) that he does not think that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will pay £120 million for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
The Arsenal legend does not think that Rice, who has been linked with a move to the Gunners in the summer of 2023, is worth £120 million.
TalkSPORT journalist and presenter Jim White has said that West Ham want as much as £120 million plus add-ons for the midfielder in the summer of 2023.
White said on talkSPORT that Manchester United had a bid of £100 million for the England international midfielder turned down in the summer of 2023.
The former Sky Sports presenter has claimed that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all want to sign the 24-year-old, who can also play as a defender, in the summer of 2023.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has told TEAMtalk that Rice’s priority is to stay in London.
Martin Keown on Arsenal target Declan Rice’s price-tag
Keown said, as transcribed by Football.London: “Let’s see what happens. I don’t think so Jim. Although the way the prices are going right now who can really predict that.”
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan said, as transcribed by Football.London: “Well those transactions were triggered by release clauses that had established values in them.
“The value that Declan Rice has is in the beauty in the eye of the beholder and what Declan Rice is prepared to do if people don’t meet that expectation that West Ham have.
“But the release clause situation with these other players has triggered the outcomes and in this situation, it will be market forces which dictate and I’m not in the camp that Declan Rice is worth £120m quid.
“He’s worth £120m quid to West Ham because that’s what West Ham would like to get.”
To pay or not to pay?
It will be interesting to see if Arsenal do cough up the £120 million plus add-ons that West Ham United want for Declan Rice.
Now, that is a lot of money, but Rice is one of the best defensive midfielders around and he has extensive experience in the Premier League.
And he is only 24.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
