Jack Wilshere now ‘secret agent’ in Arsenal bid to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice
Former West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere could act as a “secret agent” in Arsenal’s summer bid to sign Declan Rice, according to the Daily Mail.
The 24-year-old is attracting a whole host of interest from the top sides in the Premier League, with just over a year left on his contract still to run.
Speculation has long linked the Hammers academy graduate with a return to his boyhood club Chelsea, and Arsenal have recently emerged as strong contenders in the race [The Times, 1 March].
And according to the Daily Mail [2 March, page 75], former Arsenal and West Ham man Wilshere could be a decisive factor in the Gunners securing the player’s future due to their close friendship from their days together at the London Stadium.
Arsenal’s position as Champions League-bound as well as Wilshere’s “secret agent” mission could well swing Rice’s decision in the Gunners’ favour.
Won’t go down well
Former Hammers star Wilshere acting as a secret agent to lure Rice to Arsenal certainly won’t go down well with the club supporters, but they are resigned to losing their star man to one of the top sides in the English top flight.
A big move is inevitable and the East Londoners must ensure it is a hefty one as they could well fund a huge summer rebuild depending on the kind of fee they demand for Rice’s services.
Not only can the club suck their capital rivals dry of huge cash to let Rice go but they can also fund their own rebuild and club investment in the long haul, the Hammers just have to make sure they use the money wisely.
With Manchester City also reportedly in the hunt for the player’s services, many of the club’s locals will be praying he moves across to Manchester rather than across the capital.