Declan Rice leaning towards Arsenal over Chelsea

Stuart Telford

• 22 Jan 2023 10:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Declan Rice looks increasingly likely to leave West Ham at the end of this season, and Arsenal are emerging as his favoured destination over Chelsea.

Rice is an England regular regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, but West Ham are struggling this season; 15th after 20 games played and only one point above the relegation zone.

Rice was in the Chelsea academy before being released as a 14-year-old, and has been widely expected to one day return, but it appears Arsenal are now at the front of the queue to sign him.

READ: How Arsenal will line up with Declan Rice

"Arsenal have made Rice their top transfer target and are increasingly confident of beating Chelsea to his signature," report the Guardian.

"The prospect of moving to the Emirates Stadium and working under Arteta appeals to Rice. He has seen Arteta turn Arsenal into title contenders this season and would be confident of the Spaniard's coaching making him a better midfielder."

Arsenal are top of the Premier League; five points clear of champions Manchester City with a game - against Manchester United on Sunday - in hand.

READ: 'I've got a sneaky suspicion' - Rice backed to choose Man Utd over Arsenal

Midfield minefield

Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have been key to the Gunners this season, but behind them the squad depth at defensive midfield isn't particularly impressive. How Arteta could fit all three into his side should Rice arrive remains to be seen.

West Ham are understood to want a British record of more than £100 million for their player, but with his contract expiring in 2024 they might have to settle for around £80 (€90m).

Arsenal fans would enjoy beating Chelsea to Rice, following the Blues recent hijack of the Mykhailo Mudryk transfer.

The Ukraine winger had been linked with Arsenal since the summer, but Chelsea swooped in at the last with a €100m bid, of which €70m was up front.