Former Premier League and England goalkeeper David James wants Declan Rice to stay at West Ham United but accepts a move to Arsenal could ‘make sense’, speaking to GG Recon.
Rice has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League footballer sooner rather than later. And with the Hammers closer to the Championship these days, any hopes David Moyes may have had of retaining his all-action talisman may have already gone up in smoke, stumbling into the relegation zone following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
Rice, The Guardian say, is Arsenal’s number one target. The Kingston-upon-Thames-born enforcer is open to joining Mikel Arteta’s league leaders too, a summer switch allowing Rice to prove himself at the very highest level while staying in the same postcode.
Will Declan Rice leave West Ham for Arsenal?
“Declan is hot property,” James points out. “(He) will be wanted by any English side who qualify for Europe this season because he’s a top-drawer player.
“Speaking from my own experiences before I joined Liverpool, when I couldn’t consider leaving the London area; when you’re born and grow up in an area, sometimes you feel that’s the only place you need to be.
“I’d love him to stay at West Ham, ultimately. And I hope they can get out of the relegation battle they’re in at the moment.
“Some people just like staying in their area and therefore, why not Arsenal? Under Mikel Arteta, they’ve gotten themselves in a position where they can end up being Premier League champions.
“And, if you’re going to join the best team in the country at that time, then that also makes sense for Declan.”
Moyes believes Rice will not leave the London Stadium for a penny less than £100 million. His rather perilous contract situation, however, should perhaps dent the Scot’s confidence. Rice, labelled ‘world-class’ by Arsenal legend Ian Wright, will be a free-agent in around 18 months’ time.
“My hunch, now, is (that Rice will join) Arsenal,” former Liverpool ace Danny Murphy tells talkSPORT.
“When you’re young and from a certain area, you might want to stay around your family. Maybe that Arsenal thing has become much more attractive.”
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