According to Dean Jones via GiveMeSport, Arsenal are willing to break their transfer record for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice come the summer transfer window.
Arsenal’s current record transfer is Nicolas Pepe who they signed from Lille back in 2019 for £72m, but according to Dean Jones, Arsenal are prepared to smash that record in order to bring in one of the most promising defensive midfielders in the world.
Journalist Rudy Galetti recently informed GMS that Declan Rice is Arsenal’s main priority next season.
Mikel Arteta was desperate to bring in a top quality midfielder all January. However they were unable to land Moises Caicedo from Brighton & there was no chance Declan Rice was leaving West Ham during the season when they’re in a relegation battle.
Arsenal had to settle for Jorginho, however this transfer isn’t expected to stop them going for both Moises Caicedo & Declan Rice come the summer window.
The 24-year-old is not going to come cheap, though, with David Moyes stating that he will cost more than the £107m Chelsea paid to sign Enzo Fernandez last month.
David Moyes on Declan Rice:
“Undoubtedly Declan is going to be a top player. He’ll be a British transfer record if he ever leaves West Ham.”
It means Arsenal could end up paying significantly more than the £72m they splashed out on Pepe.
David Jones says Arsenal would be prepared to make Rice their record signing but has doubts about them offering their London rivals Fernandez-level money.
“I think Arsenal are definitely willing to break their own transfer record to sign Declan Rice, but I’m not sure they’re going to go above and beyond £100m and break the British record. I think West Ham will be hopeful that that happens.
They’re hopeful that they can get £110m for Rice. I can understand why they would set their stall out at that level. I’m just not 100% sure that it’s realistic.”
