Emmanuel Petit has claimed that Arsenal's £105million deal to sign Declan Rice during the summer transfer window is still a bargain despite the huge fee.
The north Londoners saw bids of £80million and £90million for Rice rejected by West Ham United before the two clubs eventually agreed on a deal in principle worth an initial £100million with £5million in add-ons. Eventually, a complete agreement was made, with the England international said to be undergoing a medical on Friday ahead of his official unveiling.
Now, former Gunners midfielder Petit has heaped praise on the 24-year-old's leadership skills, stating that the money Mikel Arteta's side will pay still represents a more than reasonable price considering Rice's quality. "A bargain," Petit told SportsJoe when asked about the move.
"You can see the quality he has already at such a young age and his experience. He's got leadership qualities too and that winning mentality.
"Leadership is something that has been missing for a lot of years at Arsenal... but I think that Declan Rice is a captain on and off the pitch. The way Declan wants to play, and the way Arteta wants his team to play, I think they will fit perfectly together."
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Rice's defensive skillset means he may slot in as Arsenal's starting holding midfielder ahead of Thomas Partey, who could leave the Gunners this summer. The 24-year-old's elite ball-carrying skills mean that he may also be tasked with a more advanced position in the centre of the park, similar to the role Granit Xhaka occupied last season.
What do you make of Declan Rice's value?
