Jamie O’Hara has claimed that West Ham United captain Declan Rice ‘isn’t going to Arsenal’, and instead, he will seal a transfer to Manchester City this summer.
Things are starting to heat up in the Declan Rice transfer kitchen, with David Ornstein claiming on Twitter overnight (Monday, June 26) that Manchester City have put in a ‘formal bid’ of ‘£80 million + £10 million in add-ons’ for the 24-year-old.
Declan Rice is the number one target for Arsenal, as they now have a fight on their hands to sign the midfielder, but for O’Hara, it’s pretty simple, he is headed to Manchester City, as he told talkSPORT.
From the perspective of winning trophies, it’s pretty easy to say ‘yes’ to Pep Guardiola’s side.
But you can mix it and stir it up as much as you like, you can’t for one minute feel like you have had a major contribution, if you are Kalvin Phillips, after your team has won the Treble.
That’s the reality facing Rice, or he just decides to move across London to earn those starts, take his game to the next level and try to push the Gunners over the title line, as O’Hara disagreed in a pretty brutal fashion.
“What do you mean prove himself at Arsenal?” Questioned O’Hara. “He is already proven for England.
“I will be really honest. I don’t want to get your (speaking to an Arsenal fan) spirits down here. But if Man City get a deal agreed and Arsenal get a deal agreed, then there is only one club he is going to, and that’s Manchester City.
“He isn’t signing for Arsenal. You had your moment to sign him and you didn’t take it.
“You think (Rice) cares about a project? Jack Grealish left Aston Villa. He won four trophies in two seasons. He doesn’t care. Declan Rice can go there, win the Premier League and the Champions League. He won’t sign for Arsenal. I am just being honest. ‘Oh, he wants to stay in London’. He isn’t going to stay on the moon, he’s going to Manchester.”
Rice should pick Arsenal
Next season, Rice could play a small number of games, win the title and the FA Cup at the Etihad.
Or he can be a key member of the team at the Emirates and become one of their missing jigsaws that pushes Arsenal to the title.
Let’s be honest, the latter will feel better and it will be a better achievement.
But, at the end of the day, you can’t blame players for joining Man City because you will win trophies galore, regardless of what you do and you then get to work with one of the best footballing brains ever in Guardiola.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
