Arsenal have been linked with a move for the West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice for weeks now.
The Gunners are reportedly leading the chase to sign the 24-year-old England international at the end of the season.
Rice has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs but Arsenal are the front runners to secure his services and they are prepared to offer him a bumper deal worth around £200,000 a week, as per Football Insider.
Rice wants to join a club in the Champions League and Arsenal seem well-placed to qualify for the premier European competition next season.
The Gunners are currently on top of the Premier League table and they will be hoping to win the league title this season.
Meanwhile, the midfielder is likely to cost around £70 to 80 million. Rice will have just 12 months left on his contract at the London stadium at the end of the season and the Hammers will have to consider selling him if he refuses to sign an extension.
A move to Arsenal would be a major step up in the midfielder’s career and he will be hoping to prove himself at the highest level with the Gunners.
The reported asking price might seem steep but Rice has the ability to justify the outlay. Furthermore, Arsenal were willing to pay big money for Moises Caicedo in January and they should be able to afford the West Ham star as well.
It remains to be seen whether they can get a deal across the line in the coming months.
Go get him
Correction; I believe Rice will be available for 100 million or more, depending on the suitors involved. If Arsenal think they can buy him at a discounted price, they need to think again.
Moreover, they need to think about how important Rice would be to their club if they want to be really competitive in the Champions League. He will add significant value to the Arsenal squad, but they will need to pay the right price.
I recall the Arsenal fullback Carl Jenkinson going to West Ham on loan some years ago. He had a decent first season with them and West Ham made approaches to sign him permanently. Wenger was reported in the press as asking 17 million for the fullback, and not a Penny less. Wenger knew the deal; if you want a particular player you must pay the price. And if you feel you really need the player and you are one of a few interested parties, you may even need to pay more.
Wenger could Ford that Jenkinson Runs His contra t down.. But, can West Ham afford Rice leaving for nothing?
That’s if he has contract….sir rice was having 12 months remaining