Has Alex Crook inadvertently lifted the lid on the Arsenal player West Ham could take in exchange for Declan Rice after a big development.
West Ham fans are well aware captain fantastic Declan Rice looks likely to leave this summer with Arsenal said to be in the box seat.
Rice has been linked with a big money move from West Ham to Arsenal this summer.
Recent reports claim Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is planning Rice talks imminently (The Mirror).
Has Alex Crook inadvertently lifted the lid on the Arsenal player West Ham could take in exchange for Declan Rice after development
The Daily Star claims Arsenal are confident of signing Rice.
The Hammers will – obviously – have been working to identify potential replacements for Rice for some time in the background.
But it could be that West Ham can take one of them from Arsenal as part of the deal.
Sky Sports has claimed this week that West Ham want £120m for Rice but would accept £100m plus a midfielder from a Champions League club.
So has Alex Crook inadvertently lifted the lid on the Arsenal player West Ham could take in exchange for Rice after a development?
The talkSPORT transfer reporter took to social media last night to deliver a major update on Granit Xhaka’s future at the Emirates.
Xhaka on his way out and transfer reporter suggests he wants to stay in London
Crook claims Xhaka will leave Arsenal this summer with his contract up next year and no new deal agreed between the midfielder and the Gunners.
And he made a point of saying Xhaka wants to remain in London.
“Granit Xhaka increasingly likely to leave Arsenal this summer,” Crook said.
“No sign of any new deal being agreed and club reluctant to let him run his contract down.
“Despite reports to the contrary, told his wife and family are settled in London.”
Xhaka a leader but would only be one part of replacements for Rice
Anyone who has watched the Amazon documentary on Arsenal will have seen Xhaka is a real leader on and off the pitch.
Given Rice is a generational hybrid talent, West Ham will likely need two different kind of midfielders to replace him.
And the Hammers could do a lot worse than Xhaka. He has been brilliant for Arsenal during their title challenge this season. If signed alongside a younger midfielder it could be a genuine solution for David Moyes.
If the midfielder wants to remain in London then his options are limited. He clearly wouldn’t go to Spurs and Chelsea would not be interested.
So West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace look his most realistic options. Given talks will soon be held between West Ham and Arsenal over Rice – along with the claims from Sky Sports about a potential exchange – it would not be a surprise to see Xhaka come into the picture.
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