Declan Rice has been advised by Glen Johnson to opt for a transfer to Chelsea, Manchester City or Liverpool instead of Arsenal as his time at West Ham looks set to conclude. The 23-year-old midfielder appears to have no intention of extending his contract with the Hammers and will likely ask a move away in the summer is sanctioned by his current club.
The West Ham captain has been tipped to leave and return to Chelsea, where he played at youth level, for some time. Rice is currently valued at £70million by CIES Football Observatory - although in reality it could be more than that - especially as a bidding war could take place with Arsenal now registering an interest.
According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs [via Si & Dan Talk Chelsea], Edu is eyeing up a swoop for the England international and West Ham could be forced to sell in the summer following their poor season.
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Both clubs are in need of bolstering their midfield ranks and the addition of Rice would certainly do that. While Chelsea have held a long-term interest and appear to have the financial advantage over Arsenal, the Gunners may be able to offer Rice an essential that Chelsea cannot. During the World Cup, Rice claimed he wanted to play in the Champions League, and at the moment Arsenal are in a far better position to offer that than their London rivals.
"Yeah - one hundred per cent I want to play in the Champions League," the 23-year-old said. "I see my friends here (with England at the World Cup), who are playing Champions League and competing for big trophies.
"You only get one career and at the end of it you want to look back at what you've won and the biggest games you've played in. I really want to do that."
Former Chelsea and Arsenal man Emmanuel Petit has given Rice some transfer advice, suggesting a move to the Gunners would be a better option. Petit told Compare.Bet: "I know that Chelsea wants him, but if I were Declan Rice, I wouldn’t go to Chelsea, I would go to Arsenal. The two clubs are going in different directions and the way Arsenal is playing, he would be the perfect option for Arsenal."
Former Premier League defender Glen Johnson meanwhile, instead believes that the West Ham skipper should not move to Emirates Stadium, listing three Premier League heavyweights who should be in for him.
Speaking to Betfred, he said: "If Declan Rice is available, then all the top clubs are going to want him such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. I don’t believe he will leave West Ham to go to Arsenal.”
"I believe he will go to a team that can go deep in most competitions on a more consistent basis and try and win himself some silverware.”
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