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West Ham star Declan Rice keen on joining Arsenal

By on June 16, 2023

Declan-Rice

West Ham United star Declan Rice is reportedly keen on joining Arsenal this summer, as per the transfer journalist Graeme Bailey.

It is an open secret that the Gunners have prioritised bolstering their engine room this summer and have identified the 24-year-old as their primary target.

The North London club recently submitted an official £90m bid to secure the Englishman’s signature. However, The Hammers rejected the offer as they are asking a fee of more than £100m to let their star man leave.

Meanwhile, it has been suggested that Man City have now firmly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Rice so doubt started to emerge among the Gunners fans that whether Arsenal will be able to beat the Citizens to purchase the midfielder.

But, in a huge boost for the Emirates club, speaking on the Chasing Green Arrows Podcast, Bailey has said that Arsenal remain the favourite to sign Rice and the player’s priority is to join Mikel Arteta’s side.

Rice to Arsenal

Bailey said:

“From what we’re hearing we know that Rice’s people were a little bit shocked at the level Arsenal decided to go in at. He still wants to go to Arsenal and Arsenal are still the favourites to get him. They are his first choice, that’s the main thing here, and he’s let that be known,”

Fabrizio Romano has recently reported that Arsenal are progressing well to agreeing on personal terms with Rice and the Gunners are preparing to submit an improved offer to secure the midfielder’s signature in this transfer window.

Romano wrote:

“Arsenal will bid again after advantage on personal terms discussed with Declan Rice. No doubts.”

Rice has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League after displaying impressive performances for West Ham over the last few years. So, a player of his quality would certainly bolster the Gunners’ engine room – which will definitely help them in challenging on all fronts from next season if they can acquire his service.

It is going to be interesting to see whether Arsenal eventually manage to lure Rice to the Emirates Stadium in this summer transfer window.