Garth Crooks thinks Arsenal target Declan Rice is worth £80m

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Pundit Garth Crooks thinks Declan Rice is absolutely worth £80million amid claims the West Ham United star is likely to join Arsenal.

Sunday was a great day for West Ham fans.

The Hammers thrashed Bournemouth 4-0 as Michail Antonio, Lucas Paqueta, Rice and Pablo Fornals were all on the scoresheet.

That win pulls West Ham six points clear of the relegation zone and eases the pressure on David Moyes a little.

Add in that London rivals Tottenham were hammered 6-1 away at Newcastle United and Hammers fans were probably in dream land.

Now even into the Europa Conference League semi-finals, West Ham fans actually have something to smile about right now.

Garth Crooks raves about Arsenal target Declan Rice

There is though a dark cloud looming for West Ham and it’s the likely departure of Declan Rice.

The heartbeat of this West Ham team is sadly likely to move on at the end of the season and attempt to take the next step in his career.

Arsenal have been very interested in Rice this year and The Guardian claimed in March that a move to North London is ‘likely’ to happen this summer.

TalkSPORT added last week that Rice is excited by Arsenal’s interest and he would like to join the Gunners.

Rice leaving the club would be a sad day for all at West Ham but many have probably been preparing themselves for a while now.

Pundit Garth Crooks has now had his say on Rice, praising him for his goal against Bournemouth as well as a superb strike against Gent on Thursday.

Crooks told BBC Sport that he thinks Rice is an ‘instrumental figure’ for West Ham and vital in their push to avoid relegation.

Crooks added that Rice simply has to be worth around £80million this summer and would be good value as Arsenal seemingly plan a big move.

“He scored an absolute cracker against Gent in the Europa Conference League in midweek and then hit another belter against Bournemouth days later. Declan Rice is once again proving to be an instrumental figure in a West Ham revival,” said Crooks.

“I’m not entirely sure where this West Ham performance came from. They would have gleaned some confidence from their comeback against Arsenal but they went to the Vitality Stadium and absolutely obliterated the Cherries. The win puts the Hammers on 34 points and takes the pressure off David Moyes’ team after securing a semi-final place in a European competition. Declan Rice has to be worth £80m of anyone’s money,” he added.