West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice has made it clear that he wants to join The Gunners next season.
Rice will join Arsenal at the end of the season, with a five-year deal agreed upon between the English International and the Gunners.
According to Football Insider reports, The 24-year-old midfielder will be getting £ 200,000 a week at the Emirates Stadium, a huge increase on his current £60,000-a-week terms at West Ham. Rice is said to be desperate to join Arsenal as Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of the English International. However, the player has a great desire to play in the Champions League next season.
Over the last few seasons, Declan Rice have been considered one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. Rice also played an important role in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup Team. The Englishman’s calmness in position and physicality have made him one of the best young talents in Europe.
Speaking to the Athletic’s Handbrake Off podcast earlier this month, Adrian Clark revealed that Rice has been inquiring about Arsenal. Clarks further stated:-
““I can’t reveal my source“,
“But I do know that Declan Rice has been sounding out people connected with Arsenal in regards to, ‘What’s it like there? What’s it really like?’, so that sounds like a positive.”
Arsenal legend Tony Cottee claimed that West Ham’s current bad form is one of the reasons for Rice’s exit
Cotte also considers the lack of Champions League football can be another reason for his departure. He told SunSports:-
“If West Ham had a successful team that was winning things, Declan wouldn’t be leaving.
“There would be no reason to leave. He will leave this summer.
“Now we are at the stage where Rice is in the prime of his career and wants to play Champions League football.
“As long as his exit is handled correctly, and I think it will be because he is a really good lad leading in the right way, I don’t think any West Ham fan would begrudge him.”
However, Arsenal is bidding around £70 million to secure the signing. Rice will play an important Arteta’s midfield for future.
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