Adrian Clarke insists Declan Rice is already speaking to people about a potential move to Arsenal in the summer.
According to Adrian Clarke on the Handbrake Off Podcast (The Athletic), Declan Rice is already speaking to people close to him about a move to Arsenal. The West Ham United midfielder is regarded as Mikel Arteta’s No.1 summer target, particularly if they win the Premier League.
Declan Rice could become Arsenal’s no.1 transfer target in the summer as Mikel Arteta eyes a big signing in the window. The Gunners are currently top of the league and are the favourites to win the Premier League title.
Arteta knew he couldn’t get the 24-year-old midfielder in January and went with giant bids for Moises Caicedo. Despite Brighton deciding to keep the midfielder at the club, the Gunners could return with a new offer in the summer.
Reports suggest it’s not one of Caicedo or Rice that Arsenal wants; they will aim to sign both midfielders in the summer. More so, the West Ham star, who David Moyes claimed will only leave for a British record transfer.
🚨 @adrianjclarke: “I can’t reveal my source, but I do know that Declan Rice has been sounding out people connected with Arsenal in regards to, ‘What’s it like there? What’s it really like?’, so that sounds like a positive.”
[@TheAthleticFC Handbrake Off Podcast] #afc pic.twitter.com/9SN3po1E9q
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) February 6, 2023
The current record is the fee Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez on January deadline day. However, some reports claimed that Rice could become available for £90-100 million in the summer, and Arsenal may prepare a massive bid for the 24-year-old midfielder.
Former Arsenal player and tactical analyst Adrian Clarke insisted Rice is already speaking to close people about a prospective move to Arsenal.
Clarke said, “I can’t reveal my source, but I do know that Declan Rice has been sounding out people connected with Arsenal in regards to, ‘What’s it like there? What’s it really like? So that sounds like a positive”.
This will come as positive news for Arsenal, with a recent report suggesting Rice could prefer the Gunners over long-time admirers Chelsea. The 24-year-old could become a long-term successor to Thomas Partey in the holding role, and many would agree on his potential to become Arteta’s undisputed midfield general.
Arsenal will face tremendous competition from Chelsea and other top Premier League sides. But, for now, the news about Rice’s preference may be seen positively by the Gunners, who will know winning the league would exponentially improve their chances of landing the player.
