In a recent tweet, respected reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed that Arsenal are willing to pay around £70m for West Ham United star Declan Rice. It has been mentioned that the Gunners are eyeing a move to secure the services of the English midfield ace this summer.
Update #Rice (Due to many inquiries): There are still no agreements and there’s no offer yet. Bayern bosses preparing the next steps instead.
➡️ Bosses want to fulfill Tuchel‘s wish
➡️ First of all the new board has to decide what Bayern is willing to offer in the first round… pic.twitter.com/eVTQKDNh3O— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 4, 2023
Rice’s Decent Run Of Form In Premier League Football
Rice has enjoyed another decent campaign at West Ham as he produced a string of dominant displays at the centre of David Moyes’ midfield. The English midfield ace has scored five goals and grabbed four assists in 49 matches for the Hammers this season on all fronts.
The 24-year-old has been a positive influence at both ends of the field based on his average of 2.1 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 1.5 clearances, 1.0 shots, 1.0 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per 90 minutes in Premier League football. He has even been tidy with his ball distribution after making 88% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at West Ham will expire in the summer of 2024 which could open the door for the Gunners to sign him in this off-season.
Is Rice A Decent Choice For Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta?
Rice doesn’t mind getting stuck in with some crunching tackles to make life tough for the opposition in the middle of the park. He usually clears the danger when needed and can make some timely interceptions for his team as well. Rice is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also fill in as a makeshift central defender if his manager tells him to do so.
The English sensation has also got the vision to engineer some promising chances in the final third. Hence, Arsenal will do well to lure him to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
We can expect Rice to inject more bite and steel into Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta‘s midfield. He is good enough to make an instant impact at the North London club if Arteta can devise a way to bring him on board during this summer transfer period.
At 24, Rice has his best years ahead of him which makes him an excellent choice for the Gunners to pursue when the transfer window commences later this month.
