Arsenal need to ensure that their summer transfer window goes off without much of a hitch. Of course, it is difficult to plan for every eventuality and there are typically always surprises but with the understanding that the Gunners intend to seriously strengthen for the return to the Champions League next season, the coming months need to be a success.
At the crux of the window is the focus on central midfield with the potential for more than just one addition to be made. football.london understands that Declan Rice is very much the priority but that his price tag could have a significant impact on the smoothness of any possible move.
Sky Sports have reported that West Ham want as much as £120million from a Champions League club to sign Rice. Rice has one year remaining on his deal at West Ham, although the east London side do have an option to extend by a further year.
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This was similar to Brighton’s decision to activate Leandro Trossard’s option at the start of the January transfer window earlier this year but it didn’t prevent Arsenal from signing the Belgian anyway for a fee that could rise to £27million. The price being touted for Rice appears to be the noises coming very much from the West Ham side of things.
David Moyes has spoken openly about how expensive he would be. He went as far as to claim he is the best English midfielder, therefore ranking him above the likes of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
"Yes, that’s why he is probably the best English midfield player around and that is why he is going to be extremely expensive if anybody comes calling."
Expensive? Definitely. £120million expensive? Arsenal would be mad.
These figures simply do not align with the context of Rice. Not only does he have the shortened contract, but his willingness to make the move combined with his relevant level to make a switch at these figures is far too great.
If West Ham are indeed serious Arsenal should be looking elsewhere for talent that can bring the qualities they want for a lower fee. Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Martin Zubimendi will all bring attributes and scope for an upgrade on the existing options at the club.
Arsenal need to learn not to be drawn into overpaying for players like in the past. They were fortunate in the end not to overspend on Mykhailo Mudryk as Chelsea came in to invest a ridiculous level of money on a youngster still finding his way in the game.
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