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Declan Rice set to leave West Ham and wants to join Arsenal

By on March 2, 2023

Declan-Rice

Arsenal target Declan Rice is set to leave West Ham United at the end of this season and the England international is keen on moving to the Emirates Stadium, as per recent reports.

The north London club are reportedly looking to reinforce their engine room next summer and have identified the 24-year-old as their priority target.

Writing on Caught offside, Fabrizio Romano said that it is highly likely that Rice, whose current deal will expire within 18 months, will leave the London Stadium at the end of this season. And the midfielder will only sign for a club who will guarantee him regular playing time.

Romano said:

“I’m told Declan Rice has very, very good chances to leave in the summer. He doesn’t want a big club and then only sit on the bench. He wants to be an important player.”

Meanwhile, speaking to GiveMeSport, Peter O’Rourke claims that Rice is ready to move away from West Ham and is open to joining the Premier League leaders, Arsenal.

Rice to Arsenal

The journalist further states that Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of Rice and the Spanish boss thinks the 24-year-old would be a perfect fit for his first eleven. So, this deal will be perfect for both parties.

O’Rourke also claims that West Ham will look to play hardball to let their star man leave as they want the most profit out of this deal, and Arsenal are ready to go all out to get this deal done.

O’Rourke said:

“Ideally, I think they would like to sign Declan Rice. They see him as a great fit for their squad and Mikel Arteta is a big fan of him. Declan Rice is interested in a move to Arsenal as well, so it suits all parties if a deal can be agreed.

“It will probably be a transfer saga in the summer, with West Ham trying to get as much money as they can for Declan Rice, but Arsenal will be right in there for the England midfielder.”

It has previously been reported that West Ham want a fee of around £80m to let the midfielder leave if they are forced to cash in on him.

So, Rice is going to be the Gunners’ most expensive signing – Nicolas Pepe, who joined the club for a fee of around £72m, currently holds that record – if Arteta’s side were to be able to broker a deal for him at the end of this season.