Declan Rice Arsenal
Declan Rice Arsenal

Declan Rice is more or less certain to leave West Ham United in the summer and as per Football London, Arsenal and Chelsea will go head-to-head in this transfer battle.

The Hammers have managed to hold onto Rice for two seasons but the midfielder is very much eager to play in the Champions League. He won’t be able to fulfil his dreams by staying at the London Stadium which is why a summer exit is the only logical scenario right now.

West Ham United haven’t been able to up their game under David Moyes this season and currently, they are 16th on the league table with just 18 points on the board.

Moyes knows very well that he won’t be able to hold onto Declan Rice any longer and it makes perfect sense to cash in on him right now and use that money wisely. At one point, West Ham were going around asking for £100-120 million for Declan Rice but with each poor season for the Hammers, his valuation is declining.

Now, Chelsea have been long-standing admirers of Rice but under their new ownership, Declan Rice hasn’t been discussed much. However, Todd Boehly has been spending money left right and centre so paying £80-90 million for the England international won’t be a problem for him(if Potter truly wants him on board).

While money won’t be an issue but the Blues are having a really mediocre season themselves and if they cannot secure Champions League football then Arsenal will have a glorious chance to sign the midfielder.

The Gunners have become a force to reckon with under Mikel Arteta and they are very much the favourites to win the Premier League this season. If Arteta’s boys manage to lift the EPL trophy then Rice will be utterly foolish to snub a move to the Emirates Stadium and join the Blues.

Chelsea have signed midfielders like Chukwuemeka and Zakaria in recent months so it remains to be seen if Potter even needs Declan Rice or not.

But if they do wish to go head-on with Arsenal in this transfer race then they have to make sure they are in Europe next season.

The Hammers won’t resist a sale too much cause they know that this is their final opportunity to cash in on Declan Rice and as things are panning out, Arsenal have a much better chance at landing the 24-year-old than the Blues.

Rice is a world-class player so Edu and co won’t shy away from paying the big bucks for him however the kinds of money that Boehly has been spending if he truly wants the midfielder then he can very easily price out the Gunners.