The Gunners are already gearing up to open talks with West Ham over a move for Declan Rice, and they are willing to break their transfer record to land the England international.
The Gunners’ record signing is still Nicolas Pepe, who was signed for £72 million in 2019.
Arsenal are set for another summer of big spending after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2016.
They will look to make additions as they aim to compete on multiple fronts having fallen well short this season.
At the summit of Mikel Arteta’s transfer wishlist is West Ham’s captain Declan Rice.
The midfielder is being eyed by both Manchester clubs but Arsenal are prepared to splash £90m to bring him across the other side of London, according to reports
West Ham United have set Rice’s asking price at £100m, despite the England international’s contract expiring next year.
However, Arsenal are hesitant to match that valuation, though would be prepared to offer Rice a deal worth £300,000 a week.
The club’s forward Bukayo Saka is also set to earn £ 300,000 a week after agreeing to a new deal which is set to be announced soon.
A notable eye-catching performance against United earlier this month must have increased the Gunners’ interest to intensify talks for Declan Rice with the hammers.
Arsenal have been linked with him since April. The North London side will be looking for added depth for next season, as evidenced by Thomas Partey’s questionable performance at times this season.
Rice seems to be the perfect like-for-like player to challenge Partey in that midfield spot. Rice’s abilities are no doubt a key addition for this Gunners side as they will look to challenge Manchester City for the title next season.
It is believed there will be changes to the club’s wage structure as Edu and Co. look to attract players who will help the Gunners compete on major fronts next campaign.
And the Gunners are also prepared to sell players to raise funds, including midfield maestro Granit Xhaka who was also tipped to move last summer.
But it is looking very unlikely given the fine form the latter is having this season. The Gunners will look to other deadweights in the squad.
Who is Declan Rice?
Declan Rice is an English professional football player who plays as a defensive midfielder for West Ham United and the England national team.
Rice was born in England and he is of Irish descent through his paternal grandparents.
Declan Rice’s club career
The Englishman came through the academy ranks at London rivals Chelsea, having been released at the age of 14.
In December 2015, he signed his first professional contract for West Ham and made his senior debut towards the end of the 2016-17 season in a match against Burnley, a 2-1 away win.
The following season was the season he made his breakthrough, finishing runner-up for the club’s Player of the Year award.
On 22 December 2018, he made his 50th appearance for the club thus becoming the first teenager to do so since Michael Carrick.
On 12th January 2019, Declan Rice scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 victory over Arsenal.
During the 2019/20 campaign, he captained West Ham for the first time in a match against Leicester, a 2-1 home loss against Leicester City.
He played all 38 games for West Ham in this campaign, playing every minute. At the end of the season, he won the Hammer of the Year, the club’s award for player of the season.
In the 2021/22 season, he made his European debut for the club and scored his debut goal in the 2-0 away victory against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.
By the end of the season, he won the club’s Player of the Season award for the second time.
Declan Rice’s international career
Although he was born in England, he was eligible to play for Ireland through his grandparents.
He made his senior debut for Ireland in a 1-0 defeat to Turkey on the 23rd of March, 2018.
Despite the offer of being a future captain for Ireland, he made the switch of allegiance to England in February 2019.
In March 2019, He made his England debut in a UEFA Euro qualifier match against the Czech Republic at Wembley.
He was part of the Nations League finals squad that finished in third place.
He also participated in Euro 2020, playing all 7 matches as England finished runner-up to Italy in the final.
Declan Rice was named in the England squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and he started all five matches as England bowed out at the quarter-final stage, losing 2-1 to France.
Declan Rice’s Career Stats
Rice is a player who is not known for shooting prowess. He’s only amassed 14 goals and 12 assists across 7 seasons.
Is Declan Rice married?
He has a girlfriend named Lauren Fryer and the pair are not married yet despite 7 years of relationship.
They have a kid named Jude, who was born on 7th June 2022.
What is Declan Rice’s net worth?
As of 2023, Declan Rice’s net worth is estimated to be 5 million dollars.
