According to sources, Arsenal appears to be getting closer to signing their top target for the summer.
What has changed about Declan Rice and Arsenal?
Football Insider believes that Edu and Declan Rice, the captain of West Ham United, have reached an agreement.
The Gunners plan to make a starting offer of about £92 million, with £8 million in add-ons to push the deal into the nine figures.
Additionally, the 24-year-old has agreed to personal conditions, making this deal appear to be all but completed. David Sullivan, the chairman of the Hammers, acknowledged that his departure was all but a given after helping the team win the Europa Conference League. This most recent study aims to validate that.
Does Declan Rice make Gabriel Jesus better?
Although the addition of a player who was once a defensive midfielder might not appear to have much of an impact on a striker, what Rice has accomplished this season and his development have made him much more than just a back four defender.
While mostly supported by defensive statistics, his 7.19 average Sofascore rating for the term is also tied to the nine goal contributions he made across all competitions. According to Sofascore, this was paired with an 88% pass accuracy, one crucial pass, 2.1 tackles, and 1.7 clearances per game.
The combination of all those numbers is what will make the England international so crucial to boosting Jesus’ numbers because not only will he give the Brazilian the defensive stability needed for him to occupy better scoring areas, but this additional creativity from midfield may also be very important.
Despite having a difficult first year in north London due to injuries, the former Manchester City forward nevertheless managed to score 11 goals and provide seven assists. However, rather than being the goal-scoring machine he probably dreams of being, his primary function ended up being the centre of Mikel Arteta’s pressuring scheme.
He could possibly occupy spaces that the ageing Granit Xhaka could not by signing Rice, who possesses incredible football intelligence in addition to technical proficiency, by adding more fluidity and athleticism, allowing his prospective 26-year-old teammate to apply more of a focus on scoring goals.
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After all, manager Danny Cowley did not praise him as a “world-class” asset for nothing. His efforts to dominate the play may allow the Gunners to take even more control over games than they already have, which will undoubtedly lead to more opportunities for the attacker.
Rice has excelled for a struggling Irons club, so the transition should not bother someone with Rice’s level of self-assurance and talent.
He may potentially make everyone around him better, Arteta and Edu will hope, making up their side.
