Declan Rice

RocktheCasbah

I think he's a quality player, but not sure where he fits into this side. Presumably as a six and as the long term replacement for Mr Partey, big shoes to fill.

Gunner89

I think he's a big uprade over anyone but Partey who's obviously not getting younger and has some off field issues.

The others in CM, Xhaka aside are bottom half level.

RocktheCasbah

Gunner89 yeah, I mean I don't see him playing as one of the two 8s. And as such, much as we need back up for TP, I'm not sure I'd want to spend £80m on it. If he's replacing him, that's different.

goon

He can probably play both roles. I'm a big fan too and think he's a little underrated on here. He's not as good as someone like FDJ technically but I do think he brings other qualities to the table.

The potential cost worries me though and I feel like it's a position that you could find better value. Maybe his contract situation and an underwhelming season will dampen their demands.

Pepe LeFrits

I like him as a player and think he'd fit in well but I don't see it unless Partey goes, which wouldn't really solve the 6 problem as we'd still need another player. Chelsea seems the most likely destination to me, maybe even City if they offload Phillips.

RocktheCasbah

Pepe LeFrits I saw an article earlier saying that Chelsea have (unsurprisingly) now got to do some book balancing as a result of their January sales splurge. Also, if he wants Champions League, that seems incredibly unlikely for next season. So I think events may have conspired against them there, which is wild cos they probably needed a Declan Rice a bit more than Mudryk.

Clrnc

He's a very intelligent player. I don't think he will be as good as Partey and his range of passing isn't as expansive but he does have a Michael Carrick feel to his game and I meant that as a compliment. He got outshone by Philips at the Euros but in the WC he complemented Bellingham and co well.

That said, for 80m there are many CM options for us to consider. Unlike wingers, this position should be easy to meet.

I am more interested in Bellingham to be honest if we have any chance.

Edit: Maybe he's more like Henderson.

MistaT

Feels like a mis-use of funds in that he won't bench either Partey or Xhaka. Nice to have solid cover for both I suppose as we have seen injury concerns with Partey.

He also seems like a player who will be at his best in a two man midfield. Don't think he offers as much attacking threat as Xhaka (which is already at the lower end for his position) nor does he offer the shielding/presence that Partey has.

I'd prefer to use the funds now on a winger that can challenge Martinelli for a starting spot, and then find a younger protege for Partey.

KingslandBarge

Huge engine and stamina, not easy to dispossess and can carry the ball. He could carry the water for the magic men. That said, I think you can get players that do that for half the price. One that we flagged recently too MistaT

Gunner89

Jump to content
Subscribe now
Free for one month
Log in
Arsenal make Declan Rice top summer transfer target with hope of £70m deal
Chelsea remain interested in Rice but Arsenal are far more likely to have Champions League football on offer

By
Sam Dean
16 January 2023 • 5:39pm
Arsenal transfer news: Declan Rice top summer target with hope of £70m deal
Declan Rice would add quality and competition to Arsenal's central midfield options CREDIT: Getty Images/Marc Atkins
Arsenal are hoping to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United this summer and have made the England international their top target.

Arsenal could face competition from Chelsea, Rice’s boyhood club, but are understood to be growing in confidence that they will be able to secure his signature in a deal worth around £70 million.

There is a growing expectation that Rice will be leaving West Ham this summer, at which point he will have only one year remaining on his current contract.

Rice remains fully committed to West Ham’s relegation battle this season but has made it clear in recent months that he wants to be playing Champions League football and challenging for trophies.

At the age of 24, and with 39 England caps, Rice fits into Arsenal’s recruitment model of targeting young players with leadership experience and potential to improve.

Chelsea remain huge admirers of Rice and there is a risk that Arsenal will face a repeat of the Mykhailo Mudryk situation, in which the Stamford Bridge club outbid their London rivals.

But Chelsea’s struggles in the Premier League — they are currently 10th — mean that Champions League qualification is now looking increasingly unlikely.

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the top of the table with victory in Sunday’s north London derby and are now 14 points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Rice is an international team-mate of Bukayo Saka and a former academy team-mate of Eddie Nketiah, dating back to their time together in the Chelsea youth ranks.

With Granit Xhaka now 30 and Thomas Partey at the age of 29, Arsenal are hoping to strengthen and refresh their midfield in the long term. If they succeed in signing Rice, the Englishman would compete with Xhaka, Partey and Martin Odegaard for a place in Arteta’s starting lineup.

Manchester United might also make a move for Rice this summer, although their significant investment in defensive midfielder Casemiro could mean they are willing to step away from the race.

Part of the reason Arsenal were unwilling to match Chelsea’s bid for Mudryk in this transfer window is because they knew that paying over-the-odds for the winger would have an impact on their summer spending plans.

The Arsenal executives have long preferred to do business in the summer window, believing it to be a better time to find value for money and to embed players into Arteta’s system.

Related Topics
Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal FC, West Ham United FC, Premier League
The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Please review our commenting policy.

Show comments
Advertisement
More stories
Related Topics
Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal FC, West Ham United FC, Premier League

More from Football
Newcastle United considering transfer swoop for Chelsea trio
By
Luke Edwards
16 Jan 2023, 3:56pm
Hakim Ziyech - Newcastle United considering transfer swoop for Chelsea trio
Exclusive: Chelsea spending prompts fears of blocked pathways for academy players
By
Matt Law
16 Jan 2023, 3:44pm
Chelsea transfer spending prompts fears of blocked pathways for academy players
Struggling Everton's crucial investment hopes dented
By
Matt Law
16 Jan 2023, 3:17pm
Fans of Everton hold up banners in protest against the clubs board during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on January 14, 2023 in Liverpool, England
Cartoons, scarves and snarling wolves: The history of the transfer unveiling
By
Alan Tyers
16 Jan 2023, 2:02pm
Chelsea Unveil New Signing Mykhailo Mudryk at Stamford Bridge
How Mykhaylo Mudryk's transfer will help Ukraine's war veterans
By
Ben Rumsby
16 Jan 2023, 1:03pm
Shakhtar Donetsk donate £20.5m of Mykhaylo Mudryk fee from Chelsea to a Ukrainian war fund
Mikel Arteta's rapid Granit Xhaka intervention showed a manager who understands his players
By
Sam Dean
16 Jan 2023, 12:20pm
Mikel Arteta pulls Granit Xhaka away amid the Arsenal celebrations
More from The Telegraph
Back to top
Follow us on:
Help Centre
About us
Telegraph Extra
Reader Prints
Branded Content
Syndication and Commissioning
Guidelines
Privacy
Terms and Conditions
Advertising Terms
Fantasy Sport
UK Voucher Codes
Betting Offers
Modern Slavery
Tax Strategy
Broadband and Mobile Deals
Manage Cookies
© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2023

goon

Being widely reported now - on the Athletic too.

One thing to bear in mind - we can afford to overspend. There are not many areas of the pitch that need investment. So if he’s the 1st choice, he doesn’t need to be the smart choice.

Gurgen

I don't rate him at all but if Arteta does I guess he knows something I don't. Always find his passing to be average and his defensive side of things worse than advertised. Two of our goals against them at the Emirates were because he was muscled off the ball or lost it.

RocktheCasbah

Gurgen be fair mate, Bukayo Saka is a killer!

JazzG

Gurgen Agree with that, I personally don't see it but like you say if Arteta sees something in him I'm not going to argue against him. I've not seen he could be as good a player as Partey and that is what we need to be aiming for in that position.

I'm intrigued by the timing of this briefing as well, either we ain't signing anyone this window or they are sending a message out to Chelsea.

Gunner89

https://theathletic.com/4097019/2023/01/16/4097019-arsenal-west-ham-declan-rice/

Pepe LeFrits

Fair points.

goon

£70m quoted by Times not too bad, long way off what Dortmund supposedly want for Bellingham.

Pepe LeFrits

Would also help if West Ham get relegated.

Clrnc

Standard says Chelsea don't want Rice anymore as they moved on to Enzo and Caicedo.

I for one very much prefers Caicedo

Anyway the way this has come out in all papers now makes it quite obvious we put this positive PR out to make people forget about Mudryk and move on

GooneriC

Don't rate him that highly to be spending that kind of money .

QuincyAbeyie

Who cares about the summer, we need shit done now