Arsenal want Declan Rice this summer as their big signing – and they have a wingman who could help convince the West Ham United midfielder
(Image credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal have a secret weapon in the pursuit of West Ham United star, Declan Rice.
That's according to a report that says that the Gunners are going to pull out all the stops in order to secure their No.1 target. Mikel Arteta reportedly wants another No.6 to compete with Thomas Partey, having made big bids for Moises Caicedo in January before landing Jorginho.
Securing one midfielder hasn't stopped the north Londoners from wanting another, however, with the main target in the summer being England international, Rice.
Arsenal signed one defensive midfielder in January – but they still want Rice (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
According to the Mail, Jack Wilshere is a "secret agent" that Arsenal will use to convince his former team-mate, Rice, to come to the Emirates Stadium instead of rivals Chelsea or Manchester United.
"Rice and Wilshere formed a close relationship during their time playing together at West Ham and have remained tight," the report states. "Indeed, it has been pointed out to Sportsmail that the Wilshere factor could well be an influencer as Rice decides his next destination."
Wilshere is currently managing the Arsenal under-18s, having retired from professional football last year. A Hale End graduate who broke into the Gunners' first team at a young age, he left north London for east in 2018 when Arsene Wenger departed the club, yet always maintained a close relationship with Arsenal.
Asking a member of staff to endorse a move feels very Football Manager, doesn't it? Still, it wouldn't be the first time that the Gunners have done so.
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Jack Wilshere played with Declan Rice at West Ham United (Image credit: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Last year, Aaron Ramsdale told FFT that Bukayo Saka asked him about joining Arsenal at England camps, claiming, "Bukayo had mentioned that he and the boss had been talking about me."
Rice is valued at around €80 million by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
