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Pundit claims Declan Rice ‘will join’ Arsenal in the summer

By on March 1, 2023

Declan-Rice

Former striker turned pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor believes West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice will join Arsenal at the end of this season.

It has been suggested that the midfielder, who has entered the final 18 months of his current contract, is expected to move away from the London Stadium at the end of this season after rejecting several contract proposals from the Hammers.

Top Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea are seemingly looking to take advantage of this situation and sign the highly talented midfielder in the summer.

Speaking on talkSPORT (via TBR), Agbonlahor has said that Chelsea don’t need more additions in their engine room as they currently have enough resources in that position. So, Arsenal would be a better destination for Rice.

The pundit further claims that the Gunners’ is now a tempting destination after their resurgence under Mikel Arteta this term. So, Agbonlahor thinks Rice will sign for Arsenal next summer.

Rice to Arsenal

Agbonlahor said:

“They’ve got a lot of midfielders, Chelsea, and the way Arsenal are playing at the moment, he [Rice] might look at the project under Arteta and think ‘Why not? I could go in there, Jorginho isn’t going to be playing much, Thomas Partey is always injured’, Declan Rice gets into that side, he keeps his place, he keeps those two players out probably next season. So, I think Declan Rice will join Arsenal.”

The Gunners have set their sight on strengthening their engine room for next season with the England international reportedly being their priority target.

It has been reported that West Ham want a fee of around £80m if they are forced to cash in on their star man in the summer. However, Arsenal could get a chance to sign the 24-year-old for a cut-price deal if David Moyes’ side fail to secure their Premier League status for next season as they are currently languishing down in 16th in the table, only two points ahead of the drop zone.

Rice has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the last few years. So, he would be a great acquisition for Arsenal should they were to be able to get this deal over the line.

However, if Chelsea decide to formalise their interest in the Englishman then Arsenal might find it difficult to win the race for his signature due to the Blues’ financial muscle.