Arsenal could reportedly end up being in the picture for the transfer of West Ham midfielder and priority Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice, according to Ben Jacobs in his column for Si & Dan Talk Chelsea.
The England international has been a star player for the Hammers in recent times, and it seems he’d be keen to keep on playing in London when he makes his next move.
Rice is also likely to make it a priority to move to a club playing in the Champions League, and this now looks doubtful for Chelsea after their poor recent form, with the Blues currently 9th in the Premier League table, seven points off fourth.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are top of the table and will surely be back in Europe’s top club competition next season, so it may be on that basis that Jacobs believes the Gunners can’t be completely ruled out when it comes to the race for Rice’s signature.
“Declan Rice remains a priority for Chelsea. Rice, as he said at the World Cup, is keen to move to a Champions League club,” Jacobs wrote.
“UCL football is by no means guaranteed for Chelsea next season but Rice is looking at the bigger picture. Arsenal could easily come into the conversation as well and Manchester United or Liverpool can’t be discounted.
“I am told, though, Rice would ideally prefer a London move, but it won’t be a dealbreaker-factor in his final decision. West Ham are resigned to losing Rice in the summer and for a price closer to £70m than the £100m+ quoted over the summer.”
Rice would be a dream signing for Arsenal, surely giving them an upgrade on the likes of Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Alberti Sambi Lokonga.
Still, he also looks like a potentially crucial addition for Chelsea, who have both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho out of contract this summer.