Arsenal have ‘CRUCIAL’ advantage for Rice, Romano claims

Robin Bairner

• 23 Jun 2023 09:41 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal hold a “crucial” edge over Manchester City in the race to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners have failed to negotiate a transfer fee for the England midfielder with his club, though they have personal terms in place with the 24-year-old, who also sees the Emirates Stadium as his preferred destination.

Man City, though, have stepped up their interest in Rice and are reportedly ready to launch a transfer bid worth £100 million for the player.

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Arsenal are unwilling to compete in that kind of heavyweight bidding war, with Mikel Arteta having been set a £200m transfer budget to complete deals for Rice, Kai Havertz of Chelsea and Ajax’s Jurrien Timber.

The Emirates club, though, may yet be drawn into paying that kind of fee for Rice, with Arteta mad keen on signing the player according to Romano.

Speaking to his YouTube channel, he revealed: “One crucial point on this story – Mikel Arteta. Arteta is pushing at the best level to sign Declan Rice. Arteta is trying in every single way.

“Of course, it doesn’t depend on him, it depends on the owners and how much they want to spend on the deal, but Mikel Arteta is trying his best. He’s really pushing for Declan Rice to join Arsenal. If Declan Rice will be an Arsenal player, trust me, Arteta will have been a crucial factor.”

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Arsenal aiming to avoid more transfer frustration

Arsenal have suffered a string of transfer disappointments over the course of 2023 after apparently getting close to deals.

Chelsea managed to hijack Mykhailo Mudryk from under the noses of their London rivals, while it appears that Moises Caicedo is heading in the same direction.

It would be a major blow for Arsenal if Rice were to go to City and, fuelled by previous transfer disappointments, Arteta may get his wish for the club to spend big in this case.