Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly looking to be key to the club’s transfer pursuit of West Ham United star Declan Rice.
The England midfielder remains a top target for the Gunners this summer, according to Ben Jacobs in his exclusive CaughtOffside column yesterday.
And it seems Arteta is proving a particularly big pull for Arsenal in the race for Rice’s signature, with Football Insider reporting that the 24-year-old is excited at the prospect of working under the Spanish tactician after witnessing his impact since taking over at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta had been a highly rated coach on Pep Guardiola’s staff at Manchester City, but the Arsenal job was his first full time management role, and he’s excelled so far, turning the team back into serious title contenders for the first time in years.
Rice could be another fine addition to this Arsenal squad if he does join, and it certainly seems like he’d be motivated to play for this manager.
Arsenal fans will no doubt hope this deal can go through, or else other top clubs will likely move for Rice this summer.
If AFC can’t land Rice, it seems that Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is also set to be a target for the north London giants.