"An increasingly strong feeling" - Journalist names exciting midfielder who is 'likely' to join Arsenal this summer
English journalist Chris Wheatley says that Arsenal are in pole position to sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice due to his friendship with Bukayo Saka.
Mikel Arteta's side are in the race for Rice, 24, who looks likely to depart West Ham after snubbing contract extension offers. The Hammers midfielder is highly sought-after following his impressive displays at the London Stadium.
On his podcast 'The Chris Wheatley Show', Wheatley said that Rice looks likely to arrive at Arsenal in the summer:
“I think Rice is certainly the one who is likely to come in the summer. We know that he'd be very keen on making the move. He's got players and friends in the Arsenal team."
The journalist continued by alluding to his connection with Gunners U18s coach Jack Wilshere and his England teammate Saka:
"Very close with Jack Wilshere, of course, who's the Arsenal under 18s coach. He's very close with Bukayo Saka as well in the England setup."
Wheatley acknowledged that Arteta's side are also interested in Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo. However, he added that Rice is their top target:
"So yep, to answer in short, Arsenal do like (Moises) Caicedo; they want to sign two central midfielders in the summer. But Declan Rice is the one that they really want. And there is an increasingly strong feeling that he wants to come as well.”
Rice has featured 39 times across competitions this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists, for West Ham. He was also key alongside Saka for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Journalist Paul Brown has told GIVEMESPORT that the Gunners are prepared to pay £80 million to sign Rice. It remains to be seen if that meets West Ham's valuation of the midfielder.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville questions Arsenal-target Declan Rice's £100 million valuation
The fee that has long been touted for West Ham to part with Rice in the summer is £100 million.
Manchester United legend Neville understands how valuable the midfielder is to the Hammers but is not convinced of his price tag, telling Sky Sports:
"There’s no doubt for West Ham he’s their best player. He is influential. He's been brilliant for England, I think the only sort of criticism comes in the supposed price tag being asked for him is around £100 million."
If Rice were to be signed for £100 million he would become Britain's joint-second most expensive player. He would join his fellow compatriot Jack Grealish in second, behind Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, who joined the Blues for £106.8 million.
Rice would also become Arsenal's most expensive signing. Nicolas Pepe is the current record holder after joining the north Londoners from Lille in 2018 for £72 million.