Spotted: Declan Rice caught on camera at the Emirates amid West Ham United and Arsenal transfer speculation
West Ham United star Declan Rice has been spotted at the Emirates on Tuesday night alongside sporting director Mark Noble amid speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Arsenal.
Rice, 24, was caught on camera watching West Ham’s Under-18s win the FA Youth Cup final against Arsenal in North London but his attendance has understandably set tongues wagging on social media.
That’s because Fabrizio Romano reported in March that Arsenal are in hot pursuit of the England international.
Romano said via his YouTube channel: “Arsenal, internally, they really appreciate the player and discussed Declan Rice as one of the players they like in that position.
“At the moment, nothing has been discussed with West Ham, and a lot will depend on West Ham how much they will ask [for] in the summer.”
Nothing to see here?
Someone get out the Naked Gun gif of Lieutenant Frank Drebin pretending as though there’s not a massive house on fire behind him.
West Ham aren’t quite burning to the ground thanks to their up-turn in form in recent weeks because relegation from the Premier League no longer seems like it’ll happen and the Europa Conference League final is beckoning.
But either way, survival and a European title won’t convince Rice to stay.
He’d outgrown West Ham a while back and we don’t blame him for wanting to move on and play in the Champions League on a regular basis and challenge for better silverware than what the Irons are ever going to be capable of lifting.
It’s a shame – but that’s football.
As for Rice’s appearance at the Emirates on Tuesday (25 April), as shown by the Gunners Twitter account, surely he was only there to watch the club’s youngsters?
We doubt there’s any ulterior motive to Rice’s trip to North London but it no doubt makes for a good talking point on social media.