June 22nd 2023.
Declan Rice is understood to have made clear his desire to join Arsenal, and Danny Murphy has advised him that he may need to take a risk to make his dream move come true. West Ham are holding out for a £100m offer for the England international, but have reluctantly accepted that he will be leaving the club this summer.
Arsenal have already had two bids rejected by West Ham, and are expected to make a third offer closer to the asking price soon. Despite David Sullivan, West Ham's Chairman, publicly declaring that Rice would be allowed to leave, there hasn't been the expected bidding war that followed.
Chelsea have had their sights set on Moises Caicedo as their No.1 midfield target since the departures of Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante. Reports this week have suggested that Manchester City and Manchester United are willing to make a player plus cash deals, but Rice has still made it clear that his preference is to join Arsenal.
Given that Arsenal are reluctant to meet West Ham's valuation, Murphy has suggested that Rice may have to take a stand to be granted the move to north London. He said, “Declan may have to make a difficult decision in order to get out of the club – he may have to kick up a fuss. He's not that type of lad but sometimes you have to look after yourself and make it clear to them that you won't be playing if they keep you there.”
Rice is now facing the choice of leaving London, where he is from and where his family is, in order to join Manchester City, the Premier League Champions. Murphy said, “If you had the choice between joining Arsenal or Manchester City, the decision is a no-brainer. Although Arsenal are on a great trajectory, you'd pick City all day long.”
It looks as though Rice will have to make a tough decision if he is to make his dream move to Arsenal a reality.
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