Arsenal has been linked with a move for Declan Rice at the end of this season as the Englishman is expected to leave West Ham.
Arsenal will continue to bolster their squad in the summer and may also go back for Moises Caicedo, however, that is not expected to stop them from pursuing Rice.
The Englishman wants Champions League football and the Gunners will almost certainly secure a return there in the next campaign.
Gabby Agbonlahor has now backed their pursuit of the Rice and tells Football Insider:
“I think Rice would a better option than Caicedo.
“He’d add more steel into that squad. He could be Arsenal’s Rodri.
“Jorginho isn’t long-term, so I think Rice would be a great, mega-money signing.
“It would be a statement to every other club in world football. They can put a marker down, letting everyone know that they can get the big players, letting everyone know that they are back.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Rice would be a superb signing for us if we add him to our squad at the end of this season and he really can improve our midfield.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are not getting any younger, so we need to plan for their replacements.
Rice can successfully replace either of them and make his name count as one of the best in the game.
Totally agree. It seems Rice is his own man, would prefer to stay in London, wants to develop and play in a top footballing side.
The money will be available and Rice, whilst a very good player now, has incredible potential to improve under Arteta.
This one is made in heaven and I believe it will happen.
I am already including him in my dream Arsenal squad for next season
A good squad man for Arsenal, our midfield is awesome at present and he is not of the level. Well done Arsenal what a performance today.
Declan Rice would jerk the dial indicator in a big way on the scale in my opinion.
Caciedo has more energy, moves the ball quicker and covers more ground than Rice plus he is younger so he would have a better sell on value. I don’t think Arsenal will bid for Rice unless West ham are forced to sell the to relegation and would accept 70 mil of less. Arsenal will also bid for a box to box game changer to replace Xhaka. The 3 best box to box game changers are Bellingham, Madison or MacAllister. They have a high team win rate when they are playing in their teams, a bit like we do when we have Party in the team. McALlister improves Brightons win rate and Madison improves Leicesters win rate, and Bellingham is the same but younger. Plus they are all box to box players like Xhaka, but a lot better.
Rice is having an off season but I think that is more due to that fact West Ham have lost that groove from the previous two seasons.
He would solidify that arsenal back line and you wouldn’t have a better leader or better reader of the game in your squad.
He will make you challengers for honours every season for the next 10 years and make this lucky season arsenal are having the start of something rather than just a lucky season.
If BHA’s players make us better – Ben White, Trossad, next Caedado and MacAllister, then why don’t we hire their talent scout and manager? Would save us a lot of money.
Rice isn’t the same type of player as Rodri and I don’t see him joining us. I think Arteta would rather have Zubimendi. I haven’t seen Zubimendi play, so I’m not in a position to comment on how he might fit into our team, however, I have seen Rice play and although he is very good I just don’t think he is the player for us. He’s a box-to-box midfielder masquerading as a defensive mf. I think he has to do, or chooses to do, too much work at West Ham so we don’t get to see the best of any one part of his game. I think he will improve any team he goes to but I think for us Arteta might want something different but we will see.