What Ian Wright heard on a visit to the Arsenal training ground is ominous for West Ham over their beloved captain Declan Rice.
From the minute West Ham fans laid eyes on Declan Rice in the first team they knew he was special.
Arsenal clearly feel the same judging by the endless transfer speculation this season.
Rice is being hotly tipped for a big money move to Arsenal in the summer.
And the latest reports claim Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is planning Rice talks imminently (The Mirror).
West Ham fans would – obviously – dearly love their talisman to stay.
Some West Ham fans dreaming of ‘one more year, one more year Declan Rice’
The skipper has rejected the biggest contract in the history of West Ham and has publicly declared his intention to play in the Champions League and compete for top trophies.
So Hammers supporters know only too well the clock is likely ticking down on the moment Rice likely leaves West Ham this summer.
With the increasing Arsenal speculation looming large, West Ham fans have been doing their bit to show Rice how much they want him to remain at the club.
The Hammers faithful have aimed a relentless chant at Rice during recent matches.
And Rice responded to those fans after the chants begging him to stay at West Ham amid the Arsenal move speculation.
What Ian Wright heard on a visit to the Arsenal training ground is ominous for West Ham over beloved captain Declan Rice
There are still some optimistic supporters who believe Rice may just change his mind and stay for another season.
But what Ian Wright heard on a visit to the Arsenal training ground is ominous for West Ham over beloved captain Rice.
Arsenal legend Wright also played for the Hammers after leaving the Gunners. He was at London Colney on a visit recently.
And he revealed why Arsenal are confident of signing their prime targets this summer.
‘Edu is confident about the calibre of player they’re going to sign’
Because while he was there, Arsenal’s sporting director Edu was inundated with calls from the agents of players desperate to join the club and work with Arteta.
“I went to the training ground the other day and I was with Edu and Mikel, and what’s happening now at the club is we’re not having to go out and cajole other people to come and join Arsenal,” Wright told Alan Shearer for The Athletic after Rice was mentioned as the Arsenal’s prime target.
“They (Arsenal’s targets and players at other clubs) can see what we’re doing. Edu is saying his phone is ringing off the hook. And they’re very confident about the calibre of player they’re going to sign. If you’re going to challenge this (Man) City team, you’re going to have to come correct.”
Wright’s revelation follows claims from talkSPORT last month that Rice is “excited” by the prospect of joining Arsenal.
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