Arsenalwant to unveilDeclan Riceas their first signing at the Emirates Stadium this summer, transfer insiderDean Joneshas told GIVEMESPORT.
Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his Gunners squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.
According toThe Guardian,Arsenalare close to agreeing on a fee withWest Ham Unitedfor the signing of Rice, which could total more than £100m, including add-ons.
Irons chairman David Sullivan confirmed totalkSPORTlast week that the club captain will leave the London Stadium this summer after leading the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory following a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in Prague.
The£60,000 per-weekearner could quadruple his salary if he moves to the Emirates Stadium and would break the north London outfit’s record transfer fee.
Journalist Paul Brown has recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthatArsenalappear to be the club Rice is most interested in signing for during the summer transfer window.
And Jones has claimed that the Gunners’ signing of the West Ham star would “show a clear intent” for how the team want to kick on.
What has Jones said aboutArsenaland Rice?
Jones told GIVEMESPORT:”Arsenal’s aim is to unveilDeclan Ricethis summer as their first signing. I think that would show a clear intent for how this team wants to kick on. We don’t know if that will be possible or how the negotiating will go. But another ɾєɑȿօɴ to get this done quickly is the hijack threat.”
Would Rice be a good signing for Arsenal?
GivenGranit Xhakalooks set for a move fromArsenalto Bayer Leverkusen this summer, the Gunners need to sign Rice, described as “exceptional” by punditMatthew Upson, as a necessity if they are to keep a healthy number of midfielders available to Arteta for next season.
The 41-cap England international has made245 appearancesthɾօυɢҺout his career at West Ham, hitting the back of the net 15 times and providing 13 assists from a holding midfield role.
And the London-born star has been part of the most successful period in the Irons’ recent history, securing two top-seven Premier League finishes, reaching a Europa League semi-final, and securing this season’s Europa Conference League title.
Therefore, Rice may feel that now is the time to step up to a Champions League-level club as he looks to test himself on the biggest stage.
