Arsenal have been urged to battle Chelsea in the transfer race to sign West Ham’s Declan Rice.
The England midfielder is a summer target for Chelsea, who are keen to bring their former academy prospect back to Stamford Bridge.
But former Gunners star Paul Merson believes the 21-year-old has all the qualities necessary to be a hit at Arsenal.
“Chelsea have been linked with him, but I don’t know why Arsenal aren’t looking at Declan Rice,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Arsenal are crying out for a holding midfield player.
(Image: West Ham United FC via Getty Ima)
“They don’t need a midfielder who’s going to be on the edge of the opposition box, they need a disciplined defensive midfielder, who is going to sit in front of the back four and organise the side; one who, when he gets the ball, gives it simple with 10-yard passes.
“It’s such a hard job and that’s why I can’t believe Arsenal aren’t going in for a player like Rice.
“A player like Rice can allow the attacking players to flourish and it gives the central defenders the chance to be better than what they are.”
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Merson added that he felt Arsenal had failed to fill the void left by the departures of former captain Patrick Vieira (2005) and Gilberto Silva (2008).
Rice has been consistently linked with a move away from the Hammers since breaking into the side.
Man Utd were among the mooted clubs interested in securing his services, but it seems Chelsea lead the race to land his signature.
He spent seven years with Chelsea’s academy from age 7 to 14, before joining West Ham following his release.
It was at Chelsea where Rice struck up a friendship with Blues star Mount, who he has since teamed up with on international duty with England.
The duo were recently spotted playing football together at a north London training centre when Mount should have been at home self-isolating amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Mount was reminded of his responsibilities by Chelsea, while West Ham insisted Rice had done nothing wrong.
