He Arsenal is getting closer to ensuring the signing of Declan Rice, the coveted West Ham United midfielder. Despite competition from Manchester United and Liverpool, reports indicate that the Gunners have reached an agreement on personal terms with the 24-year-old.
Declan Rice has made it clear that his preferred choice is to join Arsenal, despite links with other clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in recent weeks. The English midfielder has the goal of playing in the Champions League, and a transfer to Arsenal would provide him with that opportunity.
Arsenal closer to signing Declan Rice
Arsenal managed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League and showed great performance in challenging for the league title against Manchester City this season. Now, the London club is looking to strengthen its squad to close the gap with the reigning Premier League champions.
The addition of Rice would be a huge improvement for the Gunners. The 24-year-old midfielder would bring defensive cover, energy and physical strength to Arsenal’s midfield. This season, the team has struggled to rotate its squad due to a lack of options, so it is crucial to bring in new players to compete in all competitions.
Thomas Partey is currently the only defensive midfielder at the club, so Rice would give Mikel Arteta more tactical options. The England international has proven to be a reliable midfielder in the Premier League and has also made his mark internationally with the England team.
At 24, Rice is at the very beginning of his career and is likely to continue to improve with time and experience. The potential for him to become a world-class player is evident, which means that Arsenal could have a future star in his ranks. Furthermore, since the midfielder has a contract with West Ham until the summer of 2024, he could be available at a reasonable price in the coming weeks.
However, it remains to be seen if Arsenal will be able to agree a transfer price with West Ham. Both Liverpool and Manchester United are also looking to bolster their midfield, and Rice would be a quality acquisition for any of the three clubs. All three teams would represent a great opportunity for Rice next season.