West Ham United: Arsenal prefer Declan Rice to Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo
Arsenal prefer a move for Declan Rice over Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo as speculation on the West Ham captain’s future continues to swirl, according to Ben Jacobs.
Sky Sports claimed (31 January) the Gunners saw a £70million bid rejected for the 21-year-old Ecuadorian international.
Mikel Arteta’s side are believed to be in a “strong position” to sign Rice this summer, according to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth (19 April).
CBS journalist, Jacobs, has since claimed the West Ham man is viewed as Arsenal’s top choice, as opposed to Caicedo.
“Caicedo could still end up at Arsenal, even though West Ham’s Declan Rice remains the top defensive-midfield target,” said Jacobs (Caughtoffside column, 25 April).
Cash in
Rice certainly deserves credit for how he has handled himself in recent years. There has been so much talk about the England midfielder departing the club over the past two transfer windows. Not once has the 24-year-old refused to train, or attempted to force a move away from the London Stadium.
He’s given his all in a claret and blue shirt and has hit form at the perfect time for David Moyes’ side. His performances against Arsenal, Gent, and Bournemouth have been nothing short of outstanding. He could’ve easily downed tools, but that couldn’t be further from what has actually happened.
With West Ham’s Premier League status close to being confirmed and the end of the season now firmly within view, speculation will begin to reach overdrive once again. He needs to be playing in the Champions League and a move to The Emirates would allow for Rice to compete with some of the best players in the World.