Arsenal look set to continue their pursuit of West Ham United captain and midfield star Declan Rice going into the summer transfer window. football.london understand that the Gunners still hold a keen interest in signing the England international in the summer and the signing of Jorginho in the January window doesn't impact the plan at all.
Rice looks certain to make a move away from the London Stadium in the coming months, with his contract dwindling towards its final 12 months. The 24-year-old hasn't been coy over his desire to play at the very top too, potentially hinting at the possibility of completing a transfer.
"100 per cent I want to play in the Champions League," Rice said in December while on international duty with the Three Lions. "For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that. I’ve been playing consistently well for my club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing.
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"I see my friends here, who are playing Champions League and for big trophies. You only get one career and at the end you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in. I really want to do that.”
One of the key doubts that have hung above the head of Rice is his lack of goal-scoring contributions, with Graeme Souness one of a few pundits to questioning it. However, the midfielder has managed to put many of those questions to bed in recent weeks as he finds the back of the net.
That streak in front of goal continued on Thursday night against Gent in the UEFA Europa Conference League as he scored once again. This time, it was an incredible run from his own half into the box before finding a finish to ensure his side went through to the semi-finals.
It has shown another side to Rice that may put to rest any doubts over his ability and shows exactly what Mikel Arteta needs in his transfer target this summer.
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