Arsenal have joined the race for talented English midfielder Declan Rice from West Ham United. Chelsea have maintained a long-term interest in the player and many other Premier League clubs are also interested in the 23-year-old.
Rice has been one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League for a few seasons now. He along with Tomas Soucek have formed a deadly partnership in the base of midfield. The duo complement each other perfectly and this has worked wonders for David Moyes’ side.
The talented English midfielder is also a mainstay in the English national team under Gareth Southgate. He seems extremely comfortable playing in a double pivot and also as a sole six.
It is being claimed that if Arsenal wants him, they will have to pay around £70million to West Ham. The Hammers know it will not be easy to keep Declan Rice for much longer and could be willing to sell him for the right bid in the summer.
Mikel Arteta must have a clear plan in mind if he chooses to sign Rice. Although the Gunners line-up in a 4-2-3-1 on paper with two holding midfielders, Granit Xhaka is always bombing forward and Thomas Partey acts as the sole six on most occasions.
If Arsenal sign Declan Rice, it would be to provide competition to Partey and even take over subsequently. As good as the Ghana midfielder is, Rice is a class apart and could define the midfield for a decade to come.
If Declan Rice is available, he is bound to garner interest from a number of top European clubs. Arsenal will not find it easy due to the competition present and maybe winning the Premier League this season will help us convince him.
