According to The Times, Arsenal are keen on Declan Rice as their top target going into the summer transfer window.
The West Ham midfielder looks destined to leave the London Stadium this summer, and with the Gunners flying high at the top of the Premier League, they are firmly in the race for the England star.
Rice is one of the most highly-rated young stars in the Premier League, and he’s earned praise from numerous pundits in the past – including one Arsenal invincible.
Indeed, when speaking on Sky Sports last year, Kolo Toure waxed-lyrical about Rice, stating that he thinks he’s ‘unbelievable’ defensively.
Toure loves Rice
The ex-Arsenal star spoke highly of the midfielder on Sky Sports.
“He’s a really, really good player,” said Toure. “In my opinion, I see him more as a holding midfielder really because defensively he is unbelievable,” Toure said.
“I think sometimes when you have a midfielder like him, when they leave the space to go up, they need someone to cover and he does that well for West Ham.
“But he really needs to be careful of being a master of one position. Your holding midfielders, stay, control, make the ball move, be in space and be ready to counter-press when you don’t have the ball.”
Could be brilliant
Rice could be a fantastic addition for the Gunners.
As Toure says, he’s fantastic defensively, but over the past 18 months he’s added a real attacking edge to his game.
Yes, he’s not grabbing many goals or assists, but his driving runs through the middle of the park help West Ham, and England, progress the ball when they’re backed into a corner at times.
Rice would be brilliant in the roles currently occupied by Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in Mikel Arteta’s side.
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