Adrian Clarke has told The Athletic’s Handbrake Off Podcast that West Ham United captain Declan Rice has been “sounding out” those connected with Arsenal regarding what it is like at The Emirates – ahead of a potential move.
The 24-year-old has entered the final 18 months of his contract at West Ham. The chances are that he will not sign a new deal at the Hammers in the summer, and leaves the club for a big fee. Arsenal are supposedly leading the race.
The Telegraph claim that Rice is Arsenal’s main priority in the summer. Whether that remains true after the Gunners signed Jorginho from Chelsea on deadline day, is unclear. But if Rice is available, you would expect Arsenal to move.
David Moyes recently said it would cost a British record fee to sign Rice – more than Enzo Fernandez’s £107m move to Chelsea. Clarke says Rice has been making inquiries in to what it is like at Arsenal, with those connected to the club.
“I can’t reveal my source, but I do know that Declan Rice has been sounding out people connected with Arsenal in regards to, ‘What’s it like there? What’s it really like?’, so that sounds like a positive,” Clarke told Athletic’s podcast.
Clarke: West Ham captain Rice sounding out those connected with Arsenal
Do Arsenal need Rice now they have bought Jorginho? Well, the Gunners have Thomas Partey at the base of their midfield. But the Ghanaian is injury prone and there are still a couple of errors in his game. Granit Xhaka could leave.
His contract is due to end at the same time as Rice’s deal. It might be that he signs a new deal and remains a squad player in North London. Jorginho, of course, is a top player. But, the Chelsea man has only signed a deal until 2024.
So, while it might be that Rice may not start straight away, he will surely come into the side quickly. He is a signing that Arsenal must not ignore if he does not sign a new contract at West Ham in the next few months – which, is likely.
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