Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice is "ready" for a move to a big club, according to former Gunners star Gilberto Silva. It comes as the England international continues to be linked with a potential switch to the Emirates Stadium this summer, having impressed in his time with the Hammers.
football.london understands that Declan Rice is a top priority for Arsenal in the summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta looking to bolster his midfield ranks. With 12-months remaining on his contract, there may have been some hope of a bargain deal, though recent reports have claimed it will take £120million to prise the midfielder from West Ham.
“We honestly hope he stays,” Moyes said on the future of the 24-year-old last week. “We'd love for him to be a West Ham player but we are aware that might not be the case at the end of the season. So that's one of the scenarios around plans. There are plans that we have Dec here but we're also fully aware there is a good chance we won't have him.”
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There may be some questions over whether Rice will be able to adjust to the move as many will hope he can. However, for Silva, the midfielder is "ready" to make that big move as he told casinosite.nl: "There have been some rumours about Arsenal before, but they seem to be increasing again. I’m not 100% convinced this is the first position Mikel is going to strengthen first, but he is a really strong candidate.
"He has done so well at West Ham; I’ve watched their last few games and he has shown exactly why people are talking about him so highly. It’s not going to be an easy transfer because of the high price, but the market is crazy nowadays - you have to pay expensive fees for good players.
"Declan Rice is ready for a big move, he has given a massive contribution to West Ham, so let’s wait and see what happens in the transfer market. West Ham are more than entitled to listen to offers for their player in the market, it won’t be only Arsenal trying to sign him in the window.
"There will be big competition for Arsenal to try and sign him, from across Europe."
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