West Ham United midfielder, Declan Rice, is reportedly keen on a move to Arsenal this summer. The 24-year-old Englishman has been earmarked as a priority signing for the Gunners in the upcoming transfer window, and manager Mikel Arteta is ready to make his intentions clear with heavy spending in order to build a squad capable of competing in the Champions League next season.
Rice currently has a contract with West Ham until 2024 (with an option to extend by another year) and according to sources close to both clubs believe that Arsenal are in pole position to land the talented midfielder. This comes as no surprise as Rice is seen as one of the best young players in England, having grown up in Essex and worked his way through the youth system at West Ham before making his first team debut back in 2017.
Declan Rice has been enjoying his best season yet, having made 35 appearances so far this campaign for West Ham across all competitions. He has scored 7 goals and provided 4 assists during that time which is an impressive feat considering he plays in midfield. His performances have caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea, however it seems that Arsenal are leading the race for his signature due to their more aggressive approach towards signing him this summer.
Rice himself has stated that he would be open to a move away from West Ham if it was right for him and his family, but also insisted that he still loves playing at London Stadium despite its current form being below expectations this season. If he were to join Arsenal, it would be a return home of sorts for Rice who grew up just 20 minutes away from Emirates Stadium.
One thing that could decide whether or not Rice moves away from West Ham this summer is financial compensation – if Arsenal are willing to match or exceed what West Ham are asking for then it could be enough persuasion for Declan Rice to make the switch. It’s also worth noting that if Rice does make the move then he will become one of Arsenal’s highest earners wearing their iconic red jersey – an image which many fans will certainly look forward too should it come into fruition.
In conclusion, while nothing can be certain until any official announcement is made; signs point towards Declan Rice making a switch from West Ham United to Arsenal sometime during this summer’s transfer window. Considering how important Rice has been for West Ham over recent seasons there could be some reluctance from them but ultimately it may come down to how much money they can get out of any potential deal being struck between both clubs. Fans on both sides will certainly hope something comes out of these recent rumours but only time will tell whether or not Declan Rice will finally make his dream switch back home wearing an Arsenal jersey this summer.
