Arsenal legend Martin Keown doesn’t think Declan Rice will join the club this summer – because he’s just too expensive.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Rice in recent months.
The Guardian claimed in March that Rice is ‘likely’ to join Arsenal this summer despite interest from elsewhere.
TalkSPORT added to that in April by reporting that Rice is excited by Arsenal’s interest and he would like to join the Gunners.
The problem for Arsenal may come in the price tag even if Rice is keen on the move to North London.
The Telegraph claim that West Ham accept that Rice will leave this summer but want Jude Bellingham-like money for him.
Borussia Dortmund value Bellingham at around £130million and West Ham seemingly want similar money for Rice.
The report notes that Arsenal only really want to pay £70million for Rice, meaning they are a long, long way from the asking price.
Martin Keown doubts Declan Rice to Arsenal
Even with Champions League qualification, it’s hard to see how Arsenal can bridge that kind of gap.
Arsenal defender Martin Keown is now seemingly very pessimistic about Arsenal’s hopes of securing a deal.
Keown has told TalkSPORT that he thinks Rice will be ‘quite frankly’ far too expensive for Edu and co to sign this summer.
Keown believes Liverpool couldn’t afford Rice either despite being in the Champions League for years.
Arsenal are only just making their Champions League return next season, so Keown really can’t see a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Keown does think Arsenal would love to sign Rice but just doesn’t think it’s a move they will even try to pull off because of the cost involved.
“I think Declan Rice is going to be too expensive for Arsenal, quite frankly,” said Keown. “I think he will be too expensive for Liverpool as well who have been in the Champions League now for a number of years. He’s a player Arsenal will like but not with those costs involved, I think it’s too much. Looking at Arsenal’s business, I don’t think it’s a route they will go down.”
“I don’t think they’ve got the money, even though the Champions League will bring some more revenue. I don’t see him as a player Arsenal can afford to buy,” he added.
The coming months will give us the answer on whether Arsenal can afford Rice, but they will surely need West Ham’s price to come down a little.
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