Mikel Arteta is in direct contact with Declan Rice as Arsenal prioritises a move for the West Ham United midfielder.
According to Rudy Galetti via Give Me Sport, Mikel Arteta is in direct contact with key midfield target Declan Rice. The West Ham United midfielder is Arsenal’s priority summer target as the north Londoners will likely make a huge bid to bring him.
Arsenal are leading the Premier League charts by five points after a weekend of strange action. Manchester City’s loss to Tottenham let the Gunners retain their advantage at the top despite losing to Everton at Goodison Park. They are steadily becoming the bookmakers’ favourites to win the league.
If they manage to do so, or at least finish second and qualify for the Champions League, Arsenal are making big plans for the summer window. One of the big names on their shortlist is Declan Rice. Mikel Arteta wants a big addition to his midfield, and the West Ham United star is reportedly earmarked as their top target.
Recently, David Moyes hinted at a summer transfer for the 24-year-old midfielder. He also insisted it would take a British record to sign the England international. Chelsea recently set the benchmark after a £105 million deal for Enzo Fernandez on deadline day in January.
A recent report claimed Rice is already talking about a prospective Arsenal move to people close to him. The Gunners want him on priority, while their owners have shown their ability to back Arteta regarding big transfers.
Arteta wants Rice to become the lynchpin in Arsenal’s midfield and become the able successor to Thomas Partey in the long term. Journalist Rudy Galetti has now claimed the Gunners boss was in direct contact with the midfielder during January.
Galetti said, “During January, there were new contacts in which Arteta was directly involved. No personal terms have been under discussion with the entourage of Declan Rice, but Arsenal understood that the player wants to join them.”
The £100 million-rated Chelsea target prefers to join Arsenal instead of the Blues, who have long been chasing the midfielder. The Stamford Bridge outfit remains interested in the England international. A move, however, could get ruled out if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
As for Arsenal, he is the right profile of midfielder that Arteta needs. He will improve the team and move them into another gear next season. With him on board, the Gunners could challenge for honours domestically and in the Champions League.
Arsenal should get ready to pay a huge sum to prise Rice away. If they are to win the Premier League, they will become outright favourites for the 24-year-old.