Football

West Ham Skipper Set for Surprise Arsenal Move

West Ham Skipper Set for Surprise Arsenal Move
West Ham United's Gianluca Scamacca (second right) celebrating scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Wednesday January 4, 2023. - Photo by Icon sport

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are reported to be preparing for a shock transfer swoop for West Ham and England star midfielder Declan Rice in the coming summer.

The Hammers midfielder has long been admired by a number of the Premier League’s elite sides after impressing ever since he made his debut for the London side back in 2017.

Rice has since been made the West Ham captain and nailed down a regular starting role for England in midfield, starring in the side’s Euro 2020 campaign and recent World Cup finals appearance.

Rice could move to Arsenal in the Summer

Now the midfielder appears to be heavily linked with a move from West Ham to Arsenal in the summer transfer window. Recent reports by Spanish outlet Fichajes suggest that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is eager to bring Rice to the Emirates ahead of next season.

Though much of the season remains, Arsenal are in poll position to take Premier League glory this season, and if they can follow through the club would make a promising venue for Rice.

The midfielder’s contract is set to run out at the end of next season so if West Ham were to receive the sizeable sum they would hope to get for Rice the club would surely have to consider selling in the summer. The player himself has previously talked about his desires to test himself at Champions League level and Arsenal could provide that opportunity given their current trajectory under Arteta.

Other reports have suggested that West Ham have accepted internally the fact that they may have to leave go of their prize asset at the end of this season. With this in mind, other clubs may well come into the circle and a bidding war may ensue for Rice’s talents amongst the wealthiest sides in the Premier League.

Rice’s youth club, Chelsea, have  often been linked to the midfielder and would provide an option for the Irons skipper to stay in London. Man United and Man City have had tenuous links to the player too, and could tempt the player up North.

Rice would be an ideal signing for Arsenal

Arsenal-bound Rice runs with the ball at Elland Road

The 23-year old defensive midfielder would bolster any side in the center of the park, and Arsenal could well be able to offer the star a starting position given their availability in the position.

After Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, the club seriously lack real depth in midfield and Rice would provide the perfect competition for the pair as Arteta looks to further steel his side ahead of the 2023-2024 season.

Rice has made 217 appearances for West Ham and has starred under the management of David Moyes as the side have stormed into the Europa League and this year, the Europa Conference League after climbing the ranks of the English top-flight.

This year, however, the Hammers  have struggled for form in the Premier League and find themselves currently placed 17th, only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference. The side have played the most games out of all the Premier League clubs this season and seemed to have struggled to balance their domestic commitments with those in Europe.

If things don’t improve, Rice could well sense the opportunity to improve his circumstances and head to Arsenal or elsewhere in the summer.

 

 

 


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