Kevin Campbell thinks West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice would be an Arsenal player for the next ‘decade’ if he secures a summer transfer to the club.
The West Ham United captain has important matters to deal with before thinking about a transfer to Arsenal because his team will take part in the Europa League Conference final against Fiorentina on Wednesday night.
It is expected to be Declan Rice’s final bow in the colours of Claret and Blue, as Campbell thinks the ‘destroyer’ is going to be ‘perfect’ for Mikel Arteta’s side, as he told Egal Talks Football.
It’s been expected for a while now, but as soon as the Europa League Conference Final is over, then fans expect Rice’s future to get sorted.
If that rumoured move to the Emirates goes through, then the England international will provide some much-needed depth in quality for an Arsenal side that narrowly missed out on the Premier League title this season.
The 24-year-old has the engine to run Arsenal’s midfield and Campbell is excited by his possible arrival and what he will bring to the table for years to come.
“I think Declan Rice is a top, top player,” said Campbell. “I think him coming to Arsenal would be vital to us moving forward. He is young enough and he is good enough.
“He is young enough to be that hub in that midfield for a decade. That’s what I say. If people say ‘oh, he’s £100 million’. Well, £10 million-a-year, then I would take that. You would have him for ten years.
“What looks to be quite pricey at the beginning when you look at it over a number of years, it isn’t that pricey. I think he will be a perfect fit for Arsenal because he can play in so many different positions.
“He has got the type of game, the flexible game that he could be the runner in midfield, the holder in midfield, he could be the eight and he could be the destroyer. It’s been a while since we have been able to have a player like that.”
Rice to replace Partey?
For most of the season, Arsenal’s defensive brain was one of his side’s best players and key in the team sitting at the top of the Premier League table for long periods.
But during the crunch moments of the season, Thomas Partey fell off and was, in the end, benched by Arteta.
With talk of Granit Xhaka leaving, is Rice coming in to play alongside Partey because he can motor forward better than the Ghana star? Or will he come in to replace Partey, which would then provide Arsenal with the much-needed depth that they need?
Either way, these are exciting times for the club and their fans.
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