Gabby Agbonlahor urges Arsenal to make statement and sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice live on talkSPORT
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Arsenal should “make a statement” to the rest of the Premier League and sign West Ham United captain Declan Rice in the summer transfer window.
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs has previously reported (18 March) that the Gunners are “confident” of winning the race for Rice, who could cost around £80million in the summer transfer window. [The Times, 28 February]
Speaking live on talkSPORT Breakfast, Agbonlahor and Laura Woods were discussing an old claim by Gary Neville that finishing in the top four was Mikel Arteta’s ceiling at Arsenal.
But Agbonlahor admitted that the Gunners need to attack the summer transfer window, and signing Rice would be a big statement move.
“Gary Neville said something along the lines of, ‘if they finish in the top-four, then he might as well leave the job’, Woods said (12 April, 9:25am).
Agbonlahor responded: “[He said] that’s their ceiling – it’s like you said, Arsenal need to go again in the summer with transfers.
“Declan Rice, go and get him. Make a statement.”
Let the bidding war commence
The next few months could be painful for West Ham fans.
Rice is all but expected to leave the London Stadium in the summer, considering his contract is expiring at the end of next season, but where he is heading is still debatable.
The England international is not going to be short of suitors come the summer transfer window following his brilliant form for both club and country over the last few years.
David Moyes has already come out and said that the club value Rice at over £100million, which could potentially break the British record transfer fee, and it is no surprise. [talkSPORT, 4 February]
The likes of Manchester United and Manchester City already have world-class defensive midfielders in Rodri and Casemiro, so it seems like the battle could be between Chelsea and Arsenal.
In the end, it could come down to which club has the deepest pockets and is willing to match West Ham’s value of their prized asset.